Lille secured a 2-1 victory over Lens in the Derby du Nord, thanks to two goals from Edon Zhegrova. This win propelled Lille into third place in Ligue 1, with a total of 46 points.
They surpassed AS Monaco on goal difference, who will face Metz on Saturday. Lille now sit just one point behind Brest, who will play against Lorient on Sunday. Despite their defeat, Lens remains in sixth place with 42 points.
In the early stages of the match, Lille absorbed the pressure from Lens before breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute. Nabil Bentaleb delivered a precise long pass, which Zhegrova skillfully controlled and then fired into the net past Brice Samba.
Lens encountered further trouble when Facundo Medina received a red card for a foul on Zhegrova in the 34th minute. However, after a VAR check, the decision was overturned. Despite their efforts, Lens failed to register a shot on target in the first half.
Zhegrova extended Lille’s lead in the 60th minute. Gabriel Gudmundsson maneuvered past Przemyslaw Frankowski on the left wing, entered the penalty area, and unleashed a shot that Samba saved with an outstretched leg. Zhegrova was quick to pounce on the rebound and convert it into a goal.
Lens managed to pull one back with 12 minutes remaining, as Elye Wahi received a pass from Medina and scored with his left foot. This marked Wahi’s fifth goal in his last six games. However, Lens was unable to find an equalizer before the final whistle.