Soares steps off bench to lift Lens in Ligue 1 race

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·8 May 2026

Lens beat Nantes 1-0 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis to remain second in Ligue 1, with 16-year-old Mezian Soares scoring after coming off the bench.

After the restart, Robin Risser twice denied Johann Lepenant, and Matthis Abline soon struck the right post as Les Canaris threatened on the counter.

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In the 70th minute, Abdallah Sima's goal for Lens was ruled out after a VAR review for handball.

Moments later, Mezian Soares finished from Andrija Bulatović's pass to break the deadlock (79.).

Anthony Lopes kept Les Canaris in it, blocking from Matthieu Udol and tipping away Anthony Bermont's effort late on (86.).

Lens controlled long spells, posting 63.5% possession and eight corners.

Lens host Paris Saint-Germain next. Les Canaris host Toulouse next.