Key Takeaways:
- Lens twice overturned a deficit and secured a 3-2 victory over Slavia Prague with Ruben Aguilar’s winner in the 93rd minute
- Slavia Prague extended their winless run in major European competitions to 16 matches (D5, L11)
- Lens notched their first European away win since September 2005 and are unbeaten in their last five European openers (W1, D4)
Early Opportunities and Missed Chances
Slavia Prague began energetically, fashioning a massive chance for Danijel Sturm in under 30 seconds. A defence-splitting ball put the 27-year-old forward through on goal, but he fired off target, sending the ball out for a throw-in from close range. Sturm continued his involvement with a pinpoint cross to Stepan Chaloupek, whose well-placed header failed to find the target.
𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 🤩
Résiliants dans une soirée complètement folle, les Sang et Or signent leur retour en @ChampionsLeague par un succès renversant, leur premier à l'extérieur dans la compétition depuis 1998 ! Merci Messieurs ! 👏@slaviaofficial 2-3 RC Lens #SLARCL pic.twitter.com/D0O77IvexG
— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) September 10, 2026
As the match progressed, Lens gradually asserted themselves. Samuel Isife forced Robin Risser into alert action with an ambitious strike from near the halfway line, while the visiting goalkeeper was also quick off his line to claim the ball ahead of Sturm following another incisive pass. Slavia, however, could not capitalise on their early superiority, opening the door for Lens to enjoy extended possession and pressure.
Abdallah Sima, formerly of Slavia, squandered a golden opportunity against his old side after a clever Florian Thauvin pass left the goal at his mercy. Shortly afterwards, Matthieu Udol was denied twice by Jakub Markovic from a corner, as the hosts’ defensive resolve held firm. Emmanuel Ayaosi thought he had given the Cervenobili the lead, but his goal was disallowed for handball following a referee’s intervention.
The half concluded goalless, with Thauvin’s long-range effort the last meaningful goal threat, despite lively action at both ends.
Dramatic Second Half: Red Card, Five Goals, and Late-Late Drama
The second half delivered non-stop action right from the outset. Half-time substitute Mikulas Konecny received his marching orders early for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity following an extended VAR consultation. Thauvin fired just wide from the ensuing free-kick, but Slavia – undeterred by their numerical disadvantage – soon had their reward. Sturm cut inside and powered a shot into the top corner to send the home support into raptures.
Lens responded with relentless pressure. Tomas Vlcek produced a heroic goalline clearance to prevent Thauvin from equalising immediately, and substitute Odsonne Edouard soon called Markovic into action with a powerful header.
Eventually the resistance broke. Sima capitalised on sustained Lens pressure, finishing clinically to level the score. Slavia answered with a swift counter, Sturm netting his second of the night amid a goalmouth scramble from a free-kick. Yet Slavia’s celebration was fleeting as Thauvin equalised in the 91st minute with a deft header.
The contest reached its chaotic climax when Ruben Aguilar pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the area and steered it clinically into the bottom corner deep into injury time, sealing a memorable comeback and all three points for Lens.
Match Statistics
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Slavia Prague | 2 |
| Lens | 3 |
