RC Lens turned an early scare into another big night at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, coming from behind to beat Stade Rennais FC 3–1 and climb back to the top of the Ligue 1 — at least for now. The win also stretched Lens’ home run to ten straight league victories.
Rennes actually landed the first punch. Esteban Lepaul finished early after being picked out by Arnaud Nordin, and for a while Lens looked rattled. But they steadied themselves and hit back right before the break through Odsonne Édouard.
Eight minutes into the second half, Ruben Aguilar put Lens in front with a header from a Florian Thauvin delivery — then flipped the script again by being sent off soon after for a second booking, leaving Lens to protect the lead with ten men. They still found a third later on, with Allan Saint-Maximin adding the finish that finally killed the comeback hope.
Rennes leave with fresh worries. Defender Jérémy Jacquet went off with a shoulder injury, and youngster Mathys Silistrie was thrown into the spotlight for his Ligue 1 debut in goal in place of Brice Samba. Lens, meanwhile, now wait to learn the fallout from Aguilar’s dismissal, with a suspension risk hanging over the next fixtures.
