Matthieu Udol marks 30th birthday with overhead as Lens beat Angers 5-1 | OneFootball

Matthieu Udol marked his 30th birthday with a stunning overhead kick, his first league goal of the season, as Lens beat Angers 5-1.

"It is a fine win. The break comes at the right time and we did the job. It was important to get going again after last weekend's setback at Lorient, 2-1," he told Ligue 1+.

Earlier he sparked Florian Thauvin’s opener with a quick throw-in, then met an Abdallah Sima cross with the acrobatic finish. "I need to watch it back. I saw he would go past and cross long, controlling it would have been difficult, so I tried the move and it worked," said Udol.

A former Metz player, he has been swiftly embraced for his work-rate and commitment. With his three children beside him, the Marek stand led clapping and a rousing happy birthday at Bollaert.

He might have quietly hoped for a France call, but he refocused on the collective. "We conceded a damaging goal, yet the score is encouraging and almost everyone scored. We can have a good rest," he said.

Lens coach Pierre Sage called Udol’s strike the goal of the night, adding, "There were other beautiful goals, but as it is his birthday..."

During the break, Lens will hope for a Nice result that could stop PSG reclaiming top spot, then turn to Lille, Toulouse in the Coupe de France and PSG.

Source: L'Équipe