Lens teen sensation Mesloub keeps title race alive and relegates Nantes Just eleven seconds. Eleven seconds that changed the destiny of a young man, prolonged the suspense in the Ligue 1 title race, and condemned FC Nantes to relegation, 17 years after their last descent.
Eleven seconds after coming on as a substitute, the young Lens player Mezian Mesloub, at 16 years old, scored his first professional goal against FC Nantes at Bollaert Stadium (1-0, 79th minute). These are the kind of events that only happen in seasons touched by grace, like the one the Sang et Or are experiencing, refusing defeat no matter how fiercely it tries to prevail.
It took this boy, rising from the academy and the bench, to keep the Ligue 1 season exciting until the last matchday, perhaps even until the postponed match between Lens and PSG on May 13, which will now have the flavor of a compromised title showdown. While Lens seemed headed for a goalless draw against Nantes at home, these three points denied PSG a chance to secure the title on Sunday night at Parc des Princes against Brest.
Nantes plummets after 14 consecutive seasons in Ligue 1
Despite their efforts, Nantes did not deserve this draw, in what was their last chance to avoid relegation. It took an outstanding Risser to deny Lepenant a beautiful opening goal (57th minute). But after two disallowed goals for offside by Saïd (69th) and a handball by Sima (71st), it felt inevitable that Lens would break the deadlock, as they have been strong in closing out matches this season.
And it was a boy born in 2009, son of former Lens player Walid Mesloub, who scored on his first touch. With these 3 points, Lens (67 points) closes in on PSG (70 pts) by three points, pending the Sunday night results. The title race is not over yet, but Racing Club de Lens is guaranteed a direct qualification to the Champions League, also extending their lead over 3rd-placed Lyon by 7 points.
In addition to solidifying the top two spots in the standings, this Lens victory confirms the bottom two as well. With this defeat, Nantes (23 points) cannot reach Auxerre (28 pts) anymore. The Canaries will accompany Metz to Ligue 2, 17 years after their last relegation and after 13 consecutive seasons in Ligue 1.
