Lens hammer Auxerre thanks to Thauvin penalty double
Lens thumped Auxerre 5-2 in their first game of the French Ligue 1 season, while Le Mans drew 2-2 with Brest in their first top-flight game since 2010.
Paris, France - Lens secured a convincing 5-2 victory over Auxerre in their opening Ligue 1 match of the season, thanks to a brace of penalties from captain Florian Thauvin. The French champions continued their strong form from last season, finishing second in the table. Coach Dino Toppmoeller guided his team to another win, aiming to build on their performance from the previous weekend.
Auxerre was reduced to 10 men in the first half when defender Christ Massoko was sent off for elbowing Lens attacker Abdallah Sima. Thauvin opened the scoring in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a handball by Belgian midfielder Arthur Piedfort inside the Auxerre box. Lens maintained their dominance after halftime with Franjo Ivanovic scoring on 49 minutes, assisted by the Croatian forward.
Thauvin doubled their lead in the 55th minute, setting up Saud Abdulhamid, who then scored. Danny Namaso reduced the gap with a penalty of his own just before halftime. Lens extended their lead in the second half when defender Ismael Ganiou scored, and Lamine Sy added a consolation goal for Auxerre. Thauvin sealed the win with a second penalty two minutes from the final whistle.
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- Lens hammer Auxerre thanks to Thauvin penalty double freemalaysiatoday.com
- Lens hammer Auxerre thanks to Thauvin penalty double nst.com.my
