Young Boys sealed a crucial 1–0 victory over Lille on Europa League matchday six, capitalising on an early red card and a decisive strike from Darian Males to claim all three points at the Wankdorf.
For the Bern side, the number 60 told the story of the night. They played with a man advantage for roughly an hour after Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi was dismissed, and right around the 60-minute mark, Males delivered the breakthrough that ultimately settled the contest.
Early red card shifts momentum
The match burst into life shortly after the half-hour mark. Alan Virginius broke into the Lille box and appeared ready to pull the trigger before being dragged back by Bouaddi.
Referee Sander van der Eijk immediately pointed to the spot and produced a straight red card for the 18-year-old midfielder.
Chris Bedia stepped up for the penalty but saw his effort stopped by Berke Özer, who guessed correctly and made a strong save.
Despite the miss, the numerical advantage allowed Young Boys to wrest control away from Lille, who had looked the sharper side in the opening stages.
Males snatches the winner
Pushing forward with confidence, YB created a string of chances before finally breaking through just after the hour.
Virginius provided another decisive moment, slipping a precise pass to Males, who calmly slotted home to send the home fans into celebration.
The single goal proved enough to secure Young Boys’ third win of the group stage and halt a run of back-to-back defeats.
The victory keeps their play-off hopes alive, though they must gather more points in their upcoming fixtures against Lyon at home on January 22 and Stuttgart away the following week.
