RC Lens delivered a commanding performance to overwhelm ten-man AS Monaco 4-1 at the Stade Louis II, marking their fifth win in six Ligue 1 matches.
The clash, involving two sides vying for European qualification, got off to a frantic start reminiscent of a high-tempo basketball game, with both teams creating early opportunities.
Lens struck first through Odsonne Édouard, who capitalized on a loose ball after goalkeeper Philipp Kohn failed to control Florian Thauvin’s cross.
Monaco responded when Mamadou Sangaré was penalized for a foul on Folarin Balogun in the box, allowing the USA forward to convert the resulting penalty and level the score briefly.
However, Lens regained the lead just five minutes later. Édouard threaded a precise pass to Wesley Said on the left, and the forward unleashed a powerful strike past Kohn.
The first half then took a dramatic turn when Balogun was controversially sent off for a challenge on Sangaré, leaving Monaco with ten men.
Lens seized the advantage, with Sangaré calmly slotting home a third goal to expose Monaco’s defensive vulnerabilities.
After the break, Lens continued to dominate, with Said completing his brace from a Thauvin corner.
Monaco showed glimpses of fight, as Maghnes Akliouche forced a save from Robin Risser and Lucas Michal’s follow-up attempt went wide, but the hosts struggled to mount a serious comeback.
In the closing moments, Rayan Fofana missed a chance to make it 5-1, sliding a ball over the bar from Matthieu Udol’s cross.
Monaco had one final opportunity when Andrija Bulatovic handled in the box, but Risser denied Ansu Fati from the spot to cap a miserable evening for the principality club.
With the win, Pierre Sage’s Lens side climbs to second place in Ligue 1, while Monaco suffer back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season, dropping to sixth.
