NANTES, France (Dec. 6, 2025) (Interstat) — Lens opened its Ligue 1 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Nantes on Saturday at Stade de la Beaujoire.

Substitute Florian Thauvin gave Lens the lead in the 34th minute, and forward Youssef El Arabi doubled the advantage just four minutes later. Nantes substitute Wesley Saïd pulled a goal back in the 81st minute, assisted by Dehmaine Assoumani, but the home side could not find an equalizer. Assoumani received a yellow card in the 83rd minute for Nantes.

The result defied a pregame projection from Interstat, whose simulator had forecast a 1-1 draw. Lens began its season with a win, while Nantes started with a loss.