Stade de Reims brought an end to their seven-game winless streak on the road in Ligue 1 with a surprising 2-0 triumph over RC Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
The result not only lifted them out of the relegation play-off zone and into 14th place, but also dealt a significant setback to Lens’ aspirations for European qualification.
As anticipated, the hosts started with intent, with their first real opportunity coming in the 10th minute.
Florian Sotoca lofted a delicate pass over the Reims backline to find Goduine Koyalipou, the hero of their previous win against Saint-Étienne. However, Koyalipou was forced wide, and his eventual shot was blocked.
Lens’ rhythm was disrupted midway through the first half when Deiver Machado picked up an injury, prompting an early substitution. Angelo Fulgini, known for his attacking flair, stepped in to replace him.
Not long after Fulgini’s introduction, Jordan Siebatcheu had a chance to put Reims ahead. Junya Ito delivered a corner into the danger area, which Siebatcheu met with a close-range header that went over the bar, an opportunity he will surely feel he should have done better with.
Reims found their breakthrough in the 33rd minute. A patient passage of play saw Sergio Akieme deliver a cross that deflected back to him off Juma Bah. Akieme capitalized, cutting the ball back for Keito Nakamura, who guided it into the top of the net to give the visitors the lead.
To make matters worse for Lens, Bah, who had earlier suffered a head injury, was unable to continue and had to be replaced by Malang Sarr.
Will Still, the Reims manager, would have wanted to see more attacking precision from his side after the break. And the chance for an equaliser nearly came just moments after the restart, only for Hiroki Sekine to produce a crucial block to deny Sotoca.
Lens kept up the pressure. Fulgini swung in a cross for Koyalipou, whose header was saved by Yehvann Diouf. Koyalipou then sent the rebound over the bar. Sotoca came close again, this time hitting the woodwork, and Andy Diouf saw a low drive trickle just wide across the goalmouth.
Reims were dealt an injury blow of their own when Amadou Kone had to come off in the 64th minute, replaced by John Patrick.
Still, Lens pushed for a leveller. Substitute Wesley Saïd squandered a chance due to poor control, and Yehvann Diouf had to be alert to make a stunning double save, first stopping Anass Zaroury and then Adrien Thomasson.
But it was Reims who would have the final say. Nhoa Sangui led a late counterattack and fed Nakamura, who calmly slotted home his second of the match to seal the victory.
The win ended a 13-match head-to-head drought against Lens, while the Sang et Or now find themselves five points shy of the top six.
