Lens confirmed their status as a dominant force in the Coupe de France over a month ago, on January 11, with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sochaux in the Round of 32. The result at Stade Auguste Bonal, a predictable outcome on paper, solidified their progression with little fuss against a lower league opponent.
Pierre Sage's Lens, set up in a flexible 3-4-3 formation, established control from the outset. Vincent Hognon's Sochaux deployed a 4-2-3-1, aiming for defensive solidity and counter-attacking opportunities, but they found themselves quickly overwhelmed by the top-tier side's intensity and precision.
The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute. Odsonne Édouard opened the scoring for Lens, converting an opportunity created by Samson Baidoo, who delivered the decisive assist. This early goal was a clear indication of the impending pressure Sochaux would endure.
Sochaux, despite the deficit, saw goalkeeper Mehdi Jeannin put in a remarkable shift. His four saves kept the scoreline respectable for much of the game, denying Lens on multiple occasions and preventing what could have been a far heavier defeat. Understand, Lens registered seven shots on target, a testament to their attacking intent and Jeannin's resistance.
As the second half progressed, Lens maintained their relentless pressure. Sochaux made four substitutions between the 67th and 75th minutes, bringing on Solomon Loubao, Boubacar Fofana, Jules Mendy, and Aboubacar Sidibe in an attempt to shift momentum, but the changes failed to stem the tide. Lens, too, introduced fresh legs, with Andrija Bulatovic, Ruben Aguilar, Rayan Fofana, Abdallah Sima, and Florian Thauvin entering the fray after the 73rd minute. These late changes proved particularly impactful.
With the clock winding down, Lens's substitutes delivered. In the 87th minute, Matthieu Udol found the net, extending Lens's lead to 2-0, with Abdallah Sima providing the assist. Barely two minutes later, Sima himself got on the scoresheet, capitalizing on an assist from Florian Thauvin in the 89th minute to seal a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
Key Performances
Matthieu Udol, with a goal and a stellar 8.2 rating, stood out for Lens, consistently influencing play from midfield. Adrien Thomasson also impressed, registering five key passes and maintaining a high level of involvement with a 7.7 rating. The late introductions of Abdallah Sima and Florian Thauvin paid immediate dividends, each contributing a goal or an assist to underline Lens's squad depth. For Sochaux, Mehdi Jeannin's performance in goal was crucial, single-handedly limiting the damage. Julien Masson also battled commendably in midfield, winning nine of his thirteen duels.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Sochaux | Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Shots on Goal | 0 | 7 |
| Shots off Goal | 5 | 11 |
| Total Shots | 8 | 24 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 6 |
| Shots inside Box | 3 | 19 |
| Shots outside Box | 5 | 5 |
| Ball Possession | 36% | 64% |
| Total Passes | 271 | 502 |
| Passes Accurate | 210 | 430 |
| Pass Accuracy % | 77% | 86% |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 5 |
| Fouls | 14 | 18 |
This victory propelled Lens into the next stage of the Coupe de France, a competition where they hold genuine aspirations. For Sochaux, the defeat, while expected, was a reminder of the gulf in class between the leagues. Lens will now focus on maintaining their momentum both in the cup and in their ongoing Ligue 1 campaign, with the intention of building on performances like this to consolidate their season goals.
