Racing Lens win Coupe de France for first time with 3-1 final victory over Nice
Racing Lens win Coupe de France, beating OGC Nice 3-1 at Stade de France; Thauvin named player of the match as Lens secure Champions League spot in Paris.
Racing Lens won the Coupe de France for the first time in club history, defeating OGC Nice 3-1 at the Stade de France in a final watched by President Emmanuel Macron. The victory capped an extraordinary season for Lens and underlined their status as one of France’s leading teams, with Florian Thauvin, Odsonne Édouard and Abdallah Sima among the scorers. The match ended a sequence of three previous final defeats for Lens and delivered the club a coveted domestic trophy. The result also secured international qualification that will elevate the club into the continental spotlight.
Lens claim first Coupe de France title
Lens had reached the final on several occasions but had never lifted the Coupe de France until this night, converting years of near-misses into a historic victory. The club’s supporters celebrated a breakthrough that reshapes the record books and provides a tangible reward for sustained progress under the current coaching staff.
The presence of key figures from French public life underscored the occasion’s national importance, with the Stade de France hosting a packed final that rewarded Lens’ consistent campaign across the season. For a club long seen as an underdog at the highest level, the trophy marks a new chapter in its modern era.
Key moments and goals
Florian Thauvin opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a finish that set the tone for Lens’ control of the game, and he was later named player of the match for his influence. Odsonne Édouard doubled the lead shortly before halftime, slotting home in the 42nd minute to make it 2-0 and give Lens a crucial advantage heading into the break.
Nice reduced the deficit when 17-year-old Djibril Coulibaly pulled a goal back just before halftime, injecting belief into the visitors as the interval approached. However, Abdallah Sima sealed the win with a strike in the 78th minute, restoring a two-goal margin and ensuring there would be no late comeback for Nice.
Thauvin’s influence and tactical control
Thauvin’s performance combined experience and decisive finishing, and his contribution in both playmaking and scoring proved pivotal for Lens on the night. His man-of-the-match recognition reflected a broader team approach in which veterans and emerging talents complemented one another.
Coach Pierre Sage’s tactical setup allowed Lens to press effectively and exploit spaces in Nice’s defense, particularly on transitions down the flanks. Substitutions and in-game adjustments sustained Lens’ momentum and helped preserve the lead as Nice sought a route back into the contest.
Season trajectory and Champions League qualification
The Coupe de France triumph crowns a season in which Lens finished second in Ligue 1, narrowly behind Paris Saint-Germain, and thereby earned direct qualification for the next UEFA Champions League. That league placing, combined with the cup victory, marks the club’s most successful campaign in recent memory and positions Lens for a higher profile on the European stage.
Lens’ sustained form across both domestic competitions demonstrated depth in the squad and an ability to compete against France’s traditional powerhouses. Qualification for the Champions League will bring new financial and sporting challenges, but it also offers the club a chance to test itself against Europe’s elite next season.
Nice face relegation play-off and Dante’s exit
For OGC Nice, the cup final provided a moment of pride but could not conceal the club’s precarious league position, which leaves them preparing for a relegation play-off. Finishing 16th in Ligue 1 means Nice must contest their top-flight status in a two-legged tie against the third-placed team from Ligue 2, a tie that could consign them to a difficult end to the campaign.
The season carries further poignancy for defender Dante, whose career will conclude this summer according to club reports, as he closes a long professional chapter amid uncertain team fortunes. The upcoming play-off against the former champions AS Saint-Étienne represents a high-stakes test that will determine Nice’s immediate future.
Racing Lens’ Coupe de France victory in Paris rewrites the club’s history and rewards a season of sustained achievement. The win secures silverware, a Champions League berth and a clear signal that Lens has emerged as a renewed force in French football.
