A huge win for Bordeaux [3-0]

The tension and pressure were palpable at the Matmut ATLANTIQUE. The Girondins absolutely had to beat a team still in the running for European qualification, and keep their fingers crossed that results elsewhere would also go their way. Things got off to a nervy start, with Fofana (5’) and Ganago (23’) both testing Benoît Costil. Lens were dominating, but Bordeaux displayed just the right combination of courage and pragmatism. After a promising run by Nicolas De Préville was cut short, Bordeaux won a penalty. Hwang Ui-Jo smashed it into the net without hesitation (1-0, 32’).

Bordeaux finally had some room to breathe. The sense of collective determination was evident in the midfield battle. Hwang created another chance on goal (36’) and Costil once again produced the goods to deny Kakuta (39’). Bordeaux truly kicked things up a gear in the second half, putting Lens under pressure. Nicolas De Préville was a constant threat on the counter-attack, narrowly missing chances to double the lead 2-0 (48’ and 62’), while Hwang Ui-Jo (59’) and Yacine Adli (64’) also came close.

Lens were becoming increasingly frustrated, and coach Franck Haise decided it was time for a few attack-minded substitutions. RCL piled on the pressure, but Bordeaux held firm. Despite dominating possession, Lens still struggled to create meaningful chances. Benoît Costil pulled off two magnificent saves to stop a shot from Fofana (61’) and an absolute rocket from Kalimuendo (71’). The Girondins continued to weather the storm and wait for chances to strike on the counter. Gasset decided to bring on some fresh legs, but in spite of another big chance for Toma Basic (73’) the scoreline remained unchanged. The last fifteen minutes were increasingly frantic, until Youssouf Sabaly finally put Bordeaux in the clear.

With Lens now firmly camped in the Girondins' half of the field, Sabaly charged down the right flank, held off his man, played a neat one-two with Sékou Mara and poked a tight-angled shot into the net! (2-0, 89’). Straight from the whistle, Sékou Mara held up the ball in midfield and picked out Mehdi Zerkane, who charged down on Leca and slotted a clever left-footed shot into the corner for his first professional goal (3-0, 90'+1). Two assists in two minutes for Sékou! With 42 points on the board, the Girondins' Ligue 1 survival is still not fully guaranteed. But things are certainly looking a whole lot brighter after this vital victory. Brest (41 pts) travel to Paris for their final game, while Strasbourg (41 pts) and Lorient (41 pts) go head-to-head… There is still everything to play for next weekend, but this courageous, battling, crucial victory puts the Girondins firmly in control of their destiny.