Fernandez-Pardo’s pace and poise power Lille’s resurgence | OneFootball

Matias Fernandez-Pardo lit up Stade Pierre-Mauroy as Lille beat Lens 3-0 in Saturday’s derby, his blistering runs tearing open the visitors and underlining LOSC’s revival.

According to L'Équipe, team-mates hailed him as MVP in the dressing room, a nod to the confidence now surging through the Belgo-Spanish forward.

He broke the deadlock on 44 minutes, sprinting in behind to collect an Aïssa Mandi pass before laying on an ideal finish for Hakon Haraldsson. He then buried the penalty for 3-0 on 58 minutes, having waited for the goalkeeper to dive before finishing the other way, a habit honed in training.

At 21 years and 60 days, he is the youngest player in Ligue 1 this season involved in more than 10 goals, with six goals and five assists. He is also the first Lille player to both score and assist in the derby since Jonathan Bamba in October 2020.

Coach Bruno Genesio has pushed him hard and praised clear strides, pointing to improved pressing, greater consistency and better retention with his back to goal, while stressing he still has room to grow.

Used mainly wide earlier in the campaign, he has looked liberated through the middle. His speed and power suit the long distribution of Nabil Bentaleb and Mandi, and his range makes him difficult to mark.

Lille kept him in January after Hamza Igamane’s cruciate injury, to relieve Olivier Giroud up front despite Atlético de Madrid interest. All four of his goals in 2026 have come as a centre-forward.

Source: L'Équipe