Mezian Mesloub scores five seconds after debut to seal Lens’ Champions League return | OneFootball

Sixteen-year-old Mezian Mesloub scored five seconds after coming on to give Lens a 1-0 win over Nantes on Friday, confirming their return to the Champions League. It was his first Ligue 1 appearance.

From a Mathieu Udol throw and a neat exchange with Andrija Bulatovic, the ball dropped to Mesloub and he finished. L'Équipe notes he is the son of Walid Mesloub, a former Lens player, ex-Algeria international and reserve-team assistant, and was born in Martigues to a mother of Portuguese origin.

He is the fastest scorer on a Ligue 1 debut on record, and the quickest substitute to net since 2006. At 16 years and 181 days, he is the second-youngest debut goalscorer after Cyril Cassèse for Toulon in 1989 at 16 years and 172 days.

Bollaert rose as the academy graduate celebrated in front of his father in the stands. He has five caps for Portugal Under-17s. The reaction underlined the club’s youth-first policy this season.

Sporting director Jean-Louis Leca, who began his Lens career with Walid as captain, said he has known Mezian since he was 10 and that the youngster visited his home more than 100 times. Walid Mesloub said he was very proud and still processing it, and that before kick-off he told his son to be on time, enjoy it and show what he could do.

Source: L'Équipe