Paris. October 23 (BNA): Lens punished Marseille for his missed goal by winning 1-0 with an off-ground shot, to move up to second place in the French League.
With Marseille in the lead at the Stade Velodrome and Lens installed at the back, midfielder Matteo Guendouzi found himself in the scoring position inside the right of the penalty area. But he took one touch too much and missed a good opportunity.
Soon, the visitors broke the field and the ball reached midfielder David Pereira da Costa, whose shot hit the leg of defender Leonardo Valerdi and bounced over goalkeeper Pau Lopez in the 78th minute. AP reports.
Lens advanced by one point above Lorient to finish second – which automatically guarantees his entry to the Champions League – and remains five points behind the undefeated league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Marseille remained fourth after their third defeat in a row, just two points behind Rennes and Monaco, who will play on Sunday.
“Of course we could have won. We should have scored two goals tonight,” midfielder Valentin Ronger told Canal Plus.
Marseille midfielder Amine Harit saved from goalkeeper Lens Brice Samba in a difficult first half.
Halfway through the second half, Marseille center back Chancel Mbemba should have done a better job of shooting directly at Samba from close range. Marseille almost paid the price at that point when, moments later, Lens captain Sekou Fofana managed to save Lopez.
Elsewhere, former France coach Laurent Blanc secured his first win since taking charge of Lyon, thanks to striker Alexandre Lacazette’s 90th minute goal in a 2-1 win over Montpellier, as Blanc made his name for the first time as an attacking midfielder.
Lacazette scored a powerful low shot inside the post after midfielder Maxence Cakeret sent it.
The two teams ended with ten men after Lyon defender Senali Diomande and Montpellier striker Stevie Mavididi were sent off in the 74th minute after a mistake by Diomandi and a heated dispute between them.
Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with his first goal of the season, but 19-year-old striker Elie Wahy equaled the hosts in the 70th minute with a superb kick from Jordan Ferry’s pass.
Lyon’s win lifted eighth place.
Paris Saint-Germain beat struggling Ajaccio 3-0 on Friday, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice from Lionel Messi’s assists and Messi scoring the other.
Sunday games
Lorient is in the middle of Troyes, while fifth-placed Rennes travels to play 19th-placed Angers.
Canadian striker Jonathan David will be looking to add to his nine league goals when sixth-placed Lille host Monaco.