PLAYER RATINGS | Lens 1-0 Le Havre: Ruben Aguilar guides Lens back to top of Ligue 1 | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 19, 30/01/2026

Ruben Aguilar’s first-half effort was enough to return RC Lens to the top of the table as they narrowly defeated a spirited Le Havre AC 1-0. 

The Match

After slipping up on their travels to Olympique de Marseille, Lens needed a victory tonight to return at least provisionally to the top of the Ligue 1 table ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s visit to RC Strasbourg Alsace on Sunday evening. The occasion seemed to weigh on Les Sang et Or in the opening exchanges. 

Le Havre threatened early when winter recruit Sofiane Boufal burst into the box. Selflessly, he looked for a pass across the goal to Issa Soumaré, but the striker wasn’t on his wavelength as the ball found only empty ground and slipped safely away from danger. 

Lens grew into the occasion and slowly began to dominate the ball and carve up opportunities. Matthieu Udol’s looping delivery from the left found Florian Thauvin, but the winger was unable to cushion his volley. It was a template of what was to come as Lens opened the scoring in a similar scenario at the stroke of half-time. Udol’s cross found Ruben Aguilar at the far post for his fellow wing-back to tap home and give Lens a deserved lead. 

Le Havre looked to respond in kind in the 54th minute when Boufal’s free kick found Arouna Sangante free at the far post. The centre-back’s diving header sent the ball goalwards, but Robin Risser was able to push the ball onto the post. It would be Sangante’s last involvement, as he was hit in the face by Aguilar’s knee, and he was forced off with what looked like a horrible injury. 

Risser was needed again shortly after when Soumaré broke past the Lens defence and went one-on-one with the keeper. Soumaré pulled the trigger on a powerful shot, but Risser was able to deny the striker. Lens were leaving space for Le Havre to attack in transition. 

Lens had the ball in the back of the net, but Adrien Thomasson’s strike would be ruled out after the referee consulted the pitchside monitor. Wesley Saïd had handled the ball in his clumsy attempt at a bicycle kick. 

12 minutes flashed up on the 4th official’s board following three lengthy stoppages for players receiving treatment. Lens had chances to settle the game late and give themselves a comfortable finish to the evening, but despite huffing and puffing, the second never arrived, but the job was done. 

Lens Player Ratings

Robin Risser, 7

The France youth international wasn’t called upon frequently. He faced no shots in the first half, but was far more active in the second when Le Havre looked to threaten more consistently. He made a few vital interventions to protect Lens’s narrow lead and give them hope that they might end the weekend back on top of Ligue 1.  

Kyllian Antonio, 5

Malang Sarr, 6

Ismaëlo Ganiou, 5

Matthieu Udol, 7

Back to his usual position as the left wing-back after a foray into the back three against Marseille. He looked far better in this role, where he could stretch the pitch and fire these lovely crosses towards the far post. It’s no surprise that Lens score so many crosses when they have a player of Udol’s talent supplying the forwards. 

Mamadou Sangaré, 5

Adrien Thomasson, 5

Ruben Aguilar, 6

Wesley Saïd, 5

Odsonne Édouard, 5

Florian Thauvin, 5

A quiet evening for Lensois’s talisman. He had a couple of volleyed chances in the first half and set up Adrien Thomasson’s disallowed goal, but struggled to make a sustained impact on a game, which was calling out for a Lens player to take it by the scruff of the neck. 

Selected Le Havre Player Ratings

Ayumu Seko, 6

Sofiane Boufal, 5

Issa Soumaré, 4

GFFN | Nick Hartland