The European dream doesn't stop yet for RC Lens. The Sang et Or won (2-1) at the Bollaert Stadium against Sevilla FC on Tuesday 12 December for the last day of the Champions League group stage. They have booked their place in the Europa League knockout stages. However, the match was not a walk in the park for Lens.
The first half was poor in clear chances on both sides. A few attempts for the Sevillans in the first ten minutes of play. First through Sergio Ramos in the 5th minute from a corner, with a header that went wide of the Lens goal. A few moments later (7′), the Sang et Or gave themselves a scare by conceding an indirect free-kick in their penalty area after a back pass from Kévin Danso was taken by goalkeeper Brice Semba. However, the set-piece was deflected for a corner by the Lens defence.
The RC Lens players find it very difficult to get out of their own half, and to create chances in the Sevilla camp. They were also forced to part ways with the injured Nampalys Mendy, who had to make way for Neil el-Aynaoui in the 24th minute.
The Sevillans created the first big chance of the game in the 29th minute of play. A very heavy shot from Ivan Rakitic on the edge of the area was saved by a superb volley from Brice Semba.
Despite a Lens attempt to burst down the left flank through Elye Wahi in the Sevilla half – during the added time of the first half (45'+2) – the Lens did not manage to create a real chance to try and break the deadlock. However, they held their own against Sevilla. Zero to zero at half-time.
Deliverance for the people of Lens
In the 47th minute, Elye Wahi raced towards goal and saw his effort saved by Marko Dmitrovic. However, an offside was flagged. Almost ten minutes later (56′), the Sevillans created another big chance. Adria Pedrosa deflected a cross from the right with the outside of his foot, and saw his effort crash off Brice Semba's crossbar.
The situation finally broke the deadlock for Lens in the 61st minute. After a run in the Sevilla half, Elye Wahi delivered a pass for Facundo Medina who went down in the box after a foul by Boubakary Soumaré. The referee whistles for a penalty. Przemyslaw Frankowski took care of it, and opened the scoring in the 63rd minute with a powerful strike.
Sevilla tried to respond in the 68th minute through Youssef en-Nesyri. The Moroccan striker of the Spanish club struck on the pivot in the box of the Sang et Or, but saw his attempt saved by Brice Semba.
In the 75th minute, Youssef en-Nesyri went down in the box after a foul by Facundo Medina following a cross from the left. The referee whistled for a penalty for Sevilla. Sergio Ramos rushed to shoot it, but saw his effort saved by Brice Semba. But the penalty was eventually withdrawn. Brice Semba was off his line when Sevilla's penalty was taken. Sergio Ramos tried his luck again and converted it with a panenka under the crossbar in the 79th minute. Everything has to be redone, one goal everywhere.
It was not until the 96th minute of play that Lens scored a second goal. Angelo Fulgini was played in through the middle and beat Marko Dmitrovic with a through ball. This goal is synonymous with victory for Lens, who qualify for the play-offs for the knockout stages of the Europa League. The European dream is not completely over for the Blood and Gold.
In the other Group B match, which took place at the same time, PSV Eindhoven hosted Arsenal. Both teams had already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition before they even played their match. The two teams also played out a 1-1 draw.
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