Lens crowned French Cup champions for the first time

Lille, playing with ten men and featuring the outstanding Saudi international defender Saud Abdulhamid, secured their first French Super Cup title after defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in front of their home crowd at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis the night before yesterday.

Abdulhamid started the match for Lille and played the full 90 minutes, orchestrating the team’s midfield, particularly under numerical disadvantage. His performance was highly praised by critics, as he thwarted numerous Parisian attacks from reaching the yellow-clad team’s goal. This marks Abdulhamid’s second trophy with Lille, following their Coupe de France victory over Nice last May.

Lille’s victory was thanks to their new captain, Florian Thauvin, who scored the crucial winning goal in the 32nd minute. However, he was forced to withstand pressure for nearly an hour after his young 18-year-old defender, Kiliann Sildillia, was sent off in the 39th minute.

Paris Saint-Germain, who won the UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa on Wednesday and have claimed the title in 12 of the last 13 editions, also finished the match with ten players after Portuguese defender Nuno Mendes was dismissed in the 87th minute.

Under their new German coach, Dino Toppmöller, Lille added this trophy to their Coupe de France title, which they won 3-1 against Nice last May under former manager Pierre Sage.

PSG will begin their defense of their Ligue 1 title away against Rennes on August 23, while their Ligue 1 runners-up, Lille, face Auxerre one day earlier.

The Spanish coach of the European champions for the past two seasons, Luis Enrique, fielded a PSG side missing Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, Brazilian captain Marquinhos, and Spanish midfielder Fabián Ruiz, but included new signings Magnier Akliouche and Luka Đuričić.

Paris dominated from the outset and threatened the home side’s goal frequently. A shot by Désiré Doué from a tight angle on the right side inside the six-yard box struck the crossbar in the 48th minute. The referee also disallowed a goal for substitute Ruiz due to offside, despite his assist for Doué in the 75th minute.

Following an individual effort from Doué, the ball reached the unmarked substitute Dembélé, who volleyed it over the bar from close range in the 81st minute.