Lens Wins French Champions Trophy After Defeating Paris Saint-Germain
Four days after winning the UEFA Super Cup, Paris Saint-Germain lost 1-0 to Lens in the French Champions Trophy. This victory marks the first-ever Champions Trophy title for Lens and a successful debut for coach Dino Toppmöller.
Four days after winning the UEFA Super Cup, Paris Saint-Germain aimed to start the domestic season with another title, but fell 1-0 to Lens in the French Champions Trophy match. Three months after their first-ever cup win, Lens secured their first Champions Trophy title in history, marking a successful debut for German coach Dino Toppmöller.
Lucas Digne made his return to the PSG lineup. Alongside him, Ilya Zabarnyi and Lucas Beraldo joined the starting XI after not featuring from the start against Aston Villa in Salzburg. Lens utilized their home-field advantage to take the lead in the 32nd minute, when a sharp cross from Massadio Haïdara found Florian Thauvin, who scored from close range. 18-year-old Kilian Antonio left the hosts down to 10 men after receiving a straight red card in the 39th minute. Despite the numerical advantage, the Parisians could not find an equalizer: Désiré Doué hit the post, and a second-half goal by substitute Fabián Ruiz was disallowed. Nuno Mendes, who came off the bench, was also sent off late in the match.
The champions will host Rennes in the opening round's marquee matchup next Sunday, while Lens will host Auxerre this Saturday.
