The RC Lens European campaign reached a low point on Wednesday, November 4, as the French side conceded nine goals in a 9-1 loss to Como at the Stade Bollaert. The result marks the heaviest defeat ever suffered by a French club in the UEFA Champions League and leaves the Nordiste side without a point after three consecutive matches in the competition.
This result matches the largest margins of defeat in the history of the tournament, tying the 8-0 scorelines recorded by Real Madrid against Malmö in 2015 and Liverpool against Besiktas in 2007. Lens holds the distinction of being the first team in the history of the competition to concede nine goals in a single home match.
Como establishes early control to dismantle Lens defense
Despite an early attempt on goal by Florian Thauvin in the second minute, the visitors quickly established control. Cesc Fabregas’s side used superior technical ability to dismantle the Lens defensive structure. Anastasios Douvikas opened the scoring from close range, setting the tone for a match where the home side struggled to contain Como. Robin Risser was forced into saves against Nico Paz in the 24th and 29th minutes before the defense faltered.
Nico Paz contributed a goal and two assists. By the halftime whistle, Como led 3-0. A header from Matthieu Udol narrowly missed the target in the 14th minute, and in the 17th minute referee Rohit Saggi overturned a penalty decision for Lens after determining that Maxence Caqueret had blocked the ball with his chest rather than his hand. Following work from Paz, Michal Skoras lost his mark on Alex Valle, who set up Douvikas for his second goal in the 32nd minute. Shortly after Franjo Ivanovic failed to convert against Jean Butez in the 34th minute, Paz capitalized on a defensive misunderstanding between Udol and Kyllian Antonio to score in the 40th minute.
A second-half collapse at Stade Bollaert
The defensive issues observed in the first half deteriorated into a wider breakdown after the break. The Lens squad appeared to remain in the locker room mentally, conceding six additional goals during the second period. Lucas Da Cunha added the fourth goal just after the restart, following a sequence of play involving Paz. The substitutions of Mezian Mesloub and Saud Abdulhamid failed to alter the momentum as the team conceded further goals in the 53rd, 57th, 62nd, and 69th minutes.
As the deficit widened, the atmosphere at the stadium shifted. Supporters began to leave their seats shortly after the hour mark, with part of the crowd chanting “Olé” during Como’s extended periods of possession. Ruben Aguilar scored for Lens in the 65th minute, but the team conceded again during stoppage time to finalize the 9-1 scoreline.
Consequences for the Champions League campaign
This loss follows a series of setbacks for the club, including defeats to Sporting CP and Club Brugge, as well as a recent loss in the derby against Lille the previous Friday. Yannick Cahuzac’s side entered the match hoping to secure points to improve their playoff prospects.
The attitude of the Lens players in the second half could leave lasting traces.
The club previously secured a victory in their opening European match of the campaign.
Earlier coverage: Lens Humiliated 9-1 by Como in Record Champions League Defeat
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