Lens vs PSG final score, result: Mbappe, PSG fall without Messi, Neymar as Lois Openda leads Lens to comprehensive victory

Kyle Bonn

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Lens vs PSG final score, result: Mbappe, PSG fall without Messi, Neymar as Lois Openda leads Lens to comprehensive victory image

PSG came into their table-topping Ligue 1 bout with Lens knowing that three points would not just give them a huge lead atop the domestic table, but also start 2023 on a high note and set the side up well for a build back towards Champions League play in a month.

Without Lionel Messi and Neymar, who missed out thanks to World Cup rest and red card suspension respectively, the onus was on Kylian Mbappe who had rescued the side late against Strasbourg last time out. Instead, Lens reignited the Ligue 1 title race and put PSG on notice as European play nears a return.

The hosts at Stage Bollaert-Delelis, backed by a boisterous crowd of home supporters, were incisive on the counter-attack and overwhelmed the PSG midfield. Every single time Lens won the ball in the middle third of the pitch, they looked to immediately race towards the PSG back line, causing havoc in doing so.

All told, three goals from Przemyslaw Frankowski, Lois Openda, and Alexis Claude-Maurice were more than enough to see the match out, as only Hugo Ekitike found the back of the net for PSG with a goal that probably shouldn't have counted.

The victory sees Lens pull within four points of PSG at the top, and reignites a dormant title race. The result will set off alarm bells at PSG who are inching towards a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in early February.

MORE: Watch PSG in Ligue 1 action all season long on fuboTV (US and Canada)

Lens vs PSG live score

  1H 2H Final
RC Lens 2 1 3
PSG 1 0 1

Goals:
5th min — RCL — Przemyslaw Frankowski
8th min — PSG — Hugo Ekitike
29th min — RCL — Lois Openda
48th min — RCL — Alexis Claude-Maurice

Starting lineups:

Lens (3-5-2): Samba (GK) — Gradit, Danso, Medina – Frankowski, Fofana, Samed, Haidara — Claude-Maurice (Onana, 73'), Openda (Said, 73'), Sotoca.

PSG (4-3-3): Donnarumma (GK) — Mukiele, Marquinhos, Ramos, Hakimi — Fabian (Vitinha, 57'), Verratti, Danilo (Sarabia, 57') – Ekitike (Zaire-Emery, 73'), Soler (Ismael Gharbi, 78'), Mbappe.

Lens vs PSG live updates, highlights, commentary

FULLTIME: Lens 3-1 PSG

A deserved three points for the hosts, who blast their first-placed opponents at home. Lois Openda was the star of the show, running a brilliant counter-attack on numerous occasions, getting a goal for himself and setting up teammates for other opportunities.

Goalkeeper Brice Samba was also a major player, making a number of big stops in the second half, including one massive save on Pablo Sarabia that would have seen PSG pull within one and set up a nervy final 10 minutes.

For PSG, they were second-best throughout the game. The midfield was overwhelmed through the first 60 minutes, and then the physicality of Lens frustrated the Parisians as they looked to spark a comeback. Seko Fofana ran the midfield for Lens, and Openda did the rest in the final third.

Lens vs. PSG: Second half

90+1 min: Into five minutes of stoppage time, Kyilan Mbappe nearly picks out a stunner from an impossible angle, looping it over Brice Samba, but the Lens goalkeeper somehow is able to not only poke the ball into the air, but tip it to himself to end the chance. What a performance its been by Samba.

87th min: A hard foul on the touchline sees young PSG substitute Ismael Gharbi shown a yellow after leaving Massaido Haidara in a heap on the pitch. There's a long stoppage as both teams have a conversation with the official and Haidara gets treatment.

86th min: Lens are mucking up the end of this match knowing they have a two-goal cushion. A PSG corner gets through the area without a finish, and Lens have a moment to breathe.

80th min: PSG are throwing everything forward, with time starting to run out needing two goals. Lens has not let up in midfield, and they're not giving in to PSG's attempt at controlling possession. In fact, they nearly are through for a fourth but Achraf Hakimi dispossesses Seko Fofana.

75th min: Chance, PSG! WHAT A SAVE BY SAMBA! HOW DID THAT NOT GO IN?!?! A delivery from Marco Verratti from deep comes to Nordi Mukiele at the far post, and he heads it horizontally to Pablo Sarabia on the doorstep. Sarabia had the entire goal gaping, but his header is somehow stopped by Samba who comes out of nowhere to parry.

The effort from Sarabia had a 0.73 xG number and a 0.93 xGOT post-shot mark! That's INSANE!

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73rd min: Lens boss Franck Haise makes a big call, bringing his best player Lois Openda off in favor of some fresh legs in Wesley Said. Openda was utterly brilliant today, and his withdrawal is a massive decision.

Galtier counters with young midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery who comes on to replace the PSG goalscorer Hugo Ekitike.

70th min: Kylian Mbappe has been completely shut down in this match. He receives the ball at the top of the penalty area, and is immediately swarmed by four Lens players. The French star produces a nice pirouette, but it's not enough to get by that many closing defenders.

68th min: Penalty shout, Lens! Big call in the match! Przemyslaw Frankowski clowns Achraf Hakimi and gets by the Moroccan on edge of the penalty area, and Hakimi responds by throwing a shoulder into the Lens wide man. Frankowski goes down under the physical play and the home crowd erupts, but the referee waves play on. It was a clear barge, but it would have to be from behind for the referee to have a bite, otherwise defenders often get away with that.

65th min: Lens defender Kevin Danso takes aim from the top of the penalty area, but it skitters just wide. It appeared that Gianluigi Donnarumma was caught off guard by the shot, as the effort beat the goalkeeper but also beat the post.

Moments later, there's another Lens chance on the break, but the shot by Alexis Claude-Maurice is scuffed well wide. They have consistently put PSG on their heels in this match, an impressive feat.

62nd min: Sergio Ramos obliterates Lois Openda as the Lens man tried to counter-attack. The official waves play on as he signals that Ramos got the ball, but all the physical challenges serves to do is get the crowd back into the match. The home crowd is in full voice.

57th min: PSG are starting to grab hold of the match as they look for two to complete a comeback, and Christophe Galtier makes a pair of changes to take advantage. Pablo Sarabia comes on for Danilo, while Vitinha enters for Fabian Ruiz. That latter change is one that should have happened at the break, now it might be too late.

54th min: Chance, PSG! The first attack of the Parisians of the second half sees Samba called into action. It's Achraf Hakimi who lets rip from the top of the box and produces a two-fisted punch from the Lens goalkeeper. PSG get the rebound and recycle, with Kylian Mbappe able to get around a double-team to deliver a cross which is dangerous across the face of goal, but nobody is there to pounce.

53rd min: Lens attack again as the crowd gets louder and louder, but they're hemmed in at the corner flag and can't get anything going.

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe has been invisible in this match, without Lionel Messi or Neymar to support in the attack. Legendary beIN Sports broadcaster Phil Schoen says "No Neymar, no Messi, and would it be fair to say no Mbappe today for PSG?"

48th min: GOAL! LENS! What a start to the second half for the hosts, and they go 3-1 up! Lois Openda is the creator once again, and Alexis Claude-Maurice is the beneficiary in front of net.

It comes off a turnover by Fabian Ruiz at the top of the penalty area, dispossessed by Haidara, and while PSG players scream for a foul, it's not given. The ball falls right at the feet of Openda with his back to goal who produces a stunning backheel, and Claude-Maurice finishes it off.

More mistakes by PSG cost them in front of net, while Lens have forced those mistakes with exceptional play in key moments.

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2H kickoff: The second half is under way at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, with referee Jerome Brisard blowing his whistle. No personnel changes for either side, which is surprising as the PSG midfield was overrun. Bringing on Vitinha would be beneficial to PSG at some point soon, as Fabian Ruiz has been ineffictive.

HALFTIME: Lens 2-1 PSG

The Ligue 1 leaders were second-best throughout the first half, as Lens are deserved leaders at the break. The hosts bossed the midfield, leaving both Marco Verratti and Kyilan Mbappe starving for touches. Verratti averages 102 touches in Ligue 1 matches this season, but had just 44 through the opening half. Mbappe had even less service, with just 25 touches and six lost possession.

Meanwhile, Lois Openda was brilliant for Lens running the counter-attack, and the Lens midfield of Massadio Haidara, Seko Fofana, and Salis Abdul Samed ran the show in the middle.

PSG can even consider themselves lucky to be down just one. Hugo Ekitike's goal shouldn't have stood, and Sergio Ramos was lucky to get away with a foul in the penalty area on Openda. We'll see what Christophe Galtier comes up with for the second half, because PSG are being overrun and will certainly fall short if it continues.

Lens vs PSG: 1st half

45+1 min: Kylian Mbappe is hacked on the left flank and it sparks a scuffle on the touchline. In the aftermath, Jonathan Gradit and Achraf Hakimi are given yellow cards for their role in the mess.

41st min: The first yellow card of the match is out for Salis Abdul Samed who yanks down Nordi Mukiele in transition to stop a PSG break. It's a professional foul, as the Ghanan knew exactly what he was doing.

40th min: PSG have a free-kick opportunity from very deep on the left flank, but Brice Samba punches it away. That starts another dangerous Lens counter, but it's stopped well by Achraf Hakimi who brings his excellent World Cup defensive form back to France.

35th min: Lois Openda goes down in the penalty area under a challenge from Sergio Ramos, but the referee waves it away. A replay shows the Spanish defender is quite lucky, as he stepped across Openda's body and bundled the Lens striker over. VAR does not intervene.

29th min: GOAL! LENS! It's been coming, and finally Lens capitalize! Lois Openda breaks free after a PSG chance fizzles, streaking down the other end. Marquinhos did his best to deliver a last-ditch tackle 1v1, but he goes sliding by.

Openda then produces a calm, composed finish past Donnarumma to take the lead for a second time. It's a lovely goal, with the breakaway, the skill to get Marquinhos to fly by, and the finish.

In the wake of the breakaway, Sergio Ramos is hurt. He took a knock earlier, and here was dispossessed on the giveaway and looks like he may have jammed something. He stays on again, but this is one to watch at halftime.

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28th min: Lens let another half-chance go as Openda smacks one over the crossbar off a corner. It's all Lens right now.

26th min: Chance, Lens! Another missed opportunity for Lens! Gianluigi Donnarumma delivers a horrid pass to Danilo, given straight to Lens at the top of the penalty area. It falls to Lens leading scorer Lois Openda, but his whipped effort on net is within Donnarumma's range, who drops low to his right to stop the effort. That was begging for another Lens goal.

PSG are making tons of mistakes in this match and have been second-best through the opening half-hour.

23rd min: Chance, Lens! Oh my, Alexis Claude-Maurice has flubbed this one! A sensational ball from the right flank by Frankowski came to a completely unmarked Claude, but his volley attempt was awful and it bobbles right to Gianluigi Donnarumma. That's a big chance that goes unfulfilled; Claude had tons of space and could have settled it without rushing.

17th min: Chance, PSG! Kylian Mbappe's been quiet so far today, and maybe a bit of frustration shows as he takes aim from distance from a tight angle. The shot didn't appear to have much of a chance, low and straight at the goakeeper, but Brice Samba fumbles it. Hugo Ekitike is there to try and make the goalkeeper pay, but he fails to do so, blasting it into the side netting.

10th min: Sergio Ramos looks to have picked up a muscle problem in a clash with an opponent on the flank that conceded a free-kick. Appears to have taken a knee to the thigh, which could be painful. He continues on for now.

Nordi Mukiele and Achraf Hakimi have switched sides at the defensive full-back spots. Expect to see that throughout the match as they look to cover for the loss of Nuno Mendes.

8th min: GOAL! PSG! The visitors have struck right back! There are questions about this one as the Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba seemed to have the ball in his hands, but Hugo Ekitike slashed right through and banged it away from him and poked it into the net.

The replay shows that the goalkeeper did indeed have the ball in his hands, but it was only just. VAR is taking a look...and it stands! Count the goal! That's surprising, as it did look like the ball was kicked out of his grasp.

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5th min: GOAL! LENS! Przemyslaw Frankowski scores his first goal of the season in a huge moment, and PSG are down early! The move comes from midfield as Florian Sotoca brings the ball forward, and he floats it to Massiado Haidara at the far post who's completely unmarked. Haidara volleys it back into the middle, and while Donnarumma got a touch, he could only tap it to Frankowski who bangs it home into the open net from point-blank range.

2nd min: An early set-piece chance for the hosts as Marquinhos commits the foul on the left flank, blocking off Lois Openda. The delivery from Przemyslaw Frankowski is a laser that's not dealt with well, but nobody from Lens can get a head to it.

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Kickoff: Following a minute of applause to remember Brazilian great Pele, the match is under way! Looks like Nordi Mukiele is the one who slides over to the left in the absence of Nuno Mendes for PSG, with Achraf Hakimi remaining on the right.

Lens vs PSG: Pre-match analysis, commentary, news

15 mins to kick: Looks a bit rainy in northern France this evening! Thankfully it's not too terribly cold, but it looks like the wet weather will continue through the whole match.

33 mins to kick: With Presnel Kimpembe hurt and Sergio Ramos aging, PSG have been linked with defenders in January, but manager Christophe Galtier has said in his pre-match comments that they will not be signing one. Instead, he pointed to young defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu who can play multiple positions along the back line.

Bitshiabu started the Strasbourg match at left-back, and while Achraf Hakimi has come back into the side for this match, pushing Bitshiabu to the bench, it's clear PSG fans will be seeing more of the 17-year-old as the season goes on.

55 mins to kick: The lineups were released a bit late, but there are no major surprises for PSG as they are finally made public. Hugo Ekitike and Carlos Soler are into the attack for the missing Lionel Messi (rest) and Neymar (suspended). Vitinha starts on the bench, with midfielders Danilo and Fabian preferred. With Nuno Mendes out injured, it's unclear whether Achraf Hakimi or Nordi Mukiele will deputize over on the left side of defense, as the other remains on their natural right side.

For Lens, there are a few minor changes. Former Newcastle full-back Massadio Haidara gets the start at left wing-back over regular Deiver Machado. Playmaker Florian Sotoca gets his first start since before the World Cup break as he takes the right wing spot from Wesley Said.

81 mins to kick: PSG signed Italian midfielder Marco Verratti to a new contract over the World Cup break, and it received very little coverage outside of France. That's indicative of Verratti's PSG career, where he's been one of the world's most underrated players.

An argument could easily be made that Verratti is the world's best passer from midfield, and he'll stick around the French capital through June 2026 should he see out his new deal. He now plays in his 400th match for PSG, which is second all-time at the club, behind only the 435 of Jean-Marc Pilorget.

107 mins to kick: Along with Mbappe's European-leading goals tally in 2022, PSG led all European Big Five sides in points collected over the 2022 calendar year. The French side just needs to translate it to the Champions League now!

120 mins to kick: PSG will be without Lionel Messi and Neymar, but they'll have their most important player Kylian Mbappe on hand. As the calendar turns to 2023, Mbappe's goals tally across the previous calendar year is cemented as tops of any player in Europe.

Lens vs PSG lineups & team news

Lens have a number of injuries to contend with. Most notably, bright young attacker David Costa will miss the match due to a shoulder injury that's kept him out since the league returned from its World Cup break.

There was thought to maybe be an injury problem for defender Facundo Medina as well after he came off in the 64th minute against Nice last time out, but he has recovered to start this game. Former Newcastle full-back Massadio Haidara gets the start at left wing-back over regular Deiver Machado. Playmaker Florian Sotoca gets his first start since before the World Cup break as he takes the right wing spot from Wesley Said.

Wuilker Farinez and Jimmy Cabot are long-term absentees with ACL tears. Polish forward Adam Buska has only logged 59 league minutes this season thanks to a nagging ankle injury.

Lens confirmed starting lineup (3-5-2): Samba (GK) — Gradit, Danso, Medina – Frankowski, Fofana, Samed, Haidara — Claude-Maurice, Openda, Sotoca.

Lens subs (9): Leca (GK), Machado, Boura, Fortes, Le Cardinal, Onana, Poreba, Said, Lascary.

PSG are without both Lionel Messi and Neymar, as Kylian Mbappe must carry the load in the attack. Messi has not yet returned from World Cup action, but will do so this week and could be available in short order. Neymar, meanwhile, is suspended for this match after he was sent off against Strasbourg for diving.

Carlos Soler was always likely to start up front, while manager Christophe Galtier chose to stick with Hugo Ekitike for the other spot in attack over Pablo Sarabia. Vitinha starts on the bench, with midfielders Danilo and Fabian preferred.

Also missing are injured defensive duo Nuno Mendes and Presnel Kimpembe, who were both stricken during World Cup duty. Nordi Mukiele comes into the full-back spot for Nuno, while Sergio Ramos continues at center-back.

PSG confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma (GK) — Mukiele, Marquinhos, Ramos, Hakimi — Fabian, Verratti, Danilo – Ekitike, Soler, Mbappe.

PSG subs (9): Navas (GK), Rico (GK), Bitshiabu, Bernat, Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Gharbi, Sarabia, Housni.

MORE: Pele dies at 82: Remembering the man who taught the world the beautiful game

How to watch Lens vs. PSG

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Sun, Jan. 1 Sun, Jan. 1 Sun, Jan. 1 Mon, Jan. 2
Time 19:45 GMT 14:45 ET 14:45 ET 06:45 AEST
TV channel BT Sport 1 beIN Sports beIN Sports beIN Sports 1
Streaming BT Sport site/app fuboTV fuboTV Foxtel Go, Kayo

UK: Monday's match between PSG and Lens from Stade Bollaert-Delelis in northern France will be broadcast in the United Kingdom by BT Sport, with streaming also available.

USA: Ligue 1 is broadcast all season long in the United States by beIN Sports, which is available to stream via fuboTV.

Canada: Ligue 1 is broadcast all season long in Canada by beIN Sports, which is available to stream via fuboTV.

Australia: Ligue 1 is broadcast all season long in Australia by beIN Sports, with this particular match shown on beIN Sports 1.

Lens vs. PSG betting odds and lines

Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), and SkyBet (UK).

PSG are understandable favorites, as Ligue 1 leaders and the best team in France by a significant margin, but their odds aren't as lopsided as one might expect with both Messi and Neymar missing, and the opponent sitting in second place.

Lens have not lost since an October 9 defeat to Lille, and have dropped points in just one match since, a 0-0 draw their last time out against Nice.

  BetMGM Sports
Interaction		 SkyBet
Lens win +240 3.59 5/2
Draw +250 3.57 13/5
PSG win +105 1.96 1/1
Both teams
to score Y / N		 -160 / +115 1.58 / 2.10 4/7, 5/4
Over / Under
2.5 goals		 -140 / +100 1.75 / 2.05 4/6, 11/10
PSG -0.5 +100 2.01 —
Lens +0.5 -135 1.78 —

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.