Del Castillo double completes Brest comeback to stun Lens | OneFootball

Brest come back from two goals down to complete a stunning comeback over last season's vice-champions Racing Club de Lens. The away side scored a quick-fire double to go 2-0 up via Sotoca and Machado, before a penalty from Del Castillo and a first goal for Kenny Lala levelled the affair. A second penalty in the 87th minute dispatched by Del Castello saw the Breton side take all three points.

Stade Brestois 3-2 RC Lens

THE MATCH

The Sang & Or started quick in their season opener, taking a two-goal lead within 25 minutes of play. Florian Sotoca rose highest for a corner from the right side, and whilst his header was saved by Brestois keeper Marco Bizot, goal-line technology awarded Lens’ opener (10’). The away side extended their lead after Machado was played through in behind and scored emphatically with an unstoppable near-post  finish (25’).

Bretons fight back

Brest got themselves back into the contest after they earned a penalty when Le Douaron was adjudged to be fouled inside the box by Jonathan Gradit. Del Castillo stepped up to dispatch confidently past Brice Samba as the Bretons got one back just before half-time. Thee home side did one better in the second half as former Lens man Kenny Lala scored his first goal for Brest with a well-executed long-range half-volley that snuck past Samba (56’). The home side knocked on the door with several big chances in the second half, Samba with a sublime fingertip save to deny Les Pirates. Lens were then down to ten men after Adrien Thomasson was shown a straight red card in the 82nd minute, before a second penalty was given to Brest for a foul by Abdul Samed. Del Castillo stepped up a second time, and the result was the same - Brest completed the comeback for their first win of the season.

THE PLAYER: Romain Del Castillo

The Frenchman was busy throughout the match and stepped up when it mattered most with a brace via two penalties. Was dangerous down the right side, and decisive in chance creation. He kept his calm for a low finish for the first penalty, whilst keeping his cool-head for the all-decisive second finish  THE STAT:

Romain Del Castillo has taken 8 penalties in Ligue 1 Uber Eats and successfully converted all of them, making him the most accurate penalty taker among still-active players in the league.

>> LIGUE 1 FIRST ROUND FIXTURES AND RESULTS