Lens Hold Summit Despite PSG Rout of Rennes

Lens will end the weekend at the top of the Ligue 1 table after grinding out a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Nantes on Saturday, but Paris Saint-Germain kept the title race tight with a ruthless demolition of Rennes in the evening kick-off.

The reigning French and European champions bounced back emphatically from last weekend’s defeat to Monaco by sweeping Rennes aside 5-0 with a much-changed starting XI, as they prepare for a demanding Champions League trip to Athletic Bilbao in midweek.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck twice, while goals from Senny Mayulu, Ibrahim Mbaye, and substitute Gonçalo Ramos completed an emphatic victory in stoppage time.

Despite PSG’s dominant display, Lens remain out in front by a single point.

The northern club, backed by a fiercely loyal regional following, have now claimed five consecutive league wins and also secured their position at the top regardless of the result in Paris.

Lens lead the table with 34 points, PSG follow on 33, while Marseille and Lille both sit on 29 after Lille edged a narrow 1-0 victory over their southern rivals on Friday.

At the Stade de la Beaujoire, Lens were made to work for their victory. Florian Thauvin opened the scoring midway through the first half, only for former Premier League striker Youssef El-Arabi to draw Nantes level minutes later.

Lens regained control late on when Wesley Saïd struck the decisive goal nine minutes from time, sealing another important step in the club’s remarkable campaign.

Saturday’s result extended Lens’ sensational run after they had climbed to the summit for the first time in over two decades the previous weekend.

Their rise has been driven by consistency and resilience rather than star power, in contrast to PSG’s galáctico-laden squad.

Thauvin, once a World Cup winner with France in 2018, has enjoyed a quiet revival this term following spells away from Ligue 1 with Tigres in Mexico and Udinese in Italy.

The 32-year-old has now scored five league goals this season and recently returned to international action, netting on his first France appearance in six years after coming off the bench in place of Kylian Mbappé against Azerbaijan.

Sunday’s action sees struggling Nice attempt to halt a worrying slide as they host Angers after suffering four straight league defeats.

Meanwhile, tensions are simmering between players and supporters following a run that has left the club in turmoil both on and off the pitch.