A bitter disappointment [2-3]

After what seemed like an eternity, the VAR reached its fatal decision. Penalty to Lens. It certainly came as a surprise: Stian Gregersen was knocked off balance in the air, and his hand made contact with a goal-bound shot. Sotoca stepped up to take the penalty, sending Benoît Costil the wrong way and sealing victory in a dramatic final twist (2-3, 90’+6). A bitter pill to swallow for Bordeaux.

Few would have predicted such a dramatic conclusion after the first half. The first half hour saw little in the way of chances on goal, although Lens had the best of those rare chances (4’, 23’, 29’, 37’) while the Girondins worked hard but had little to show for it. But the game took a sudden turn in the space of four short minutes. First Lens burst forward, with Kalimuendo charging past his marker to lay the ball off for Frankowski. His cross landed on the head of Kakuta, who fired it in from close range (0-1, 39’).

Bordeaux were stunned and Lens decided to turn the screw. A few minutes later, Clauss floated in a magnificent corner for Medina, who placed the ball well out of Costil's reach (0-2, 43’). Petkovic's side looked lost here, and it could have been worse if the crossbar hadn't intervened to deny Sotoca's headed effort (45’).

But the second half was a completely different matter. Yacine Adli, Javairô Dilrosun and Stian Gregersen all took to the field, and Bordeaux suddenly looked more inspired. Yacine Adli picked out Ricardo Mangas for the first big chance (54’). The second proved to be conclusive: once again Adli broke forward and played a cross, which took a deflection before arriving at the feet of Ricardo Mangas. He controlled wonderfully before smashing a shot into the bottom corner (1-2, 60’).  

The Girondins were on the comeback trail, and the home faithful were in fine voice. Timothée Pembélé had two chances on goal (67’, 80’), but Lens keeper Leca was on strong form. Back at the other end, Saïd connected with a good ball from Sotoca to give Bordeaux another scare, but this time Benoît Costil dealt with it superbly (76’). The pressure finally paid off for Bordeaux when Laurent Koscielny picked up the ball from a throw-in and floated in a cross. Jimmy Briand could not quite make his shot stick, but Junior Onana pounced on the lose ball and smashed home from close range (2-2, 88’). It looked like the Girondins were heading for a well-earned point... until that late penalty changed everything. A bitter disappointment after a hard day's work for Bordeaux.