Mesloub’s Golden Debut Fires Lens into the Champions League

A night of high drama at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis ended in jubilation for RC Lens and devastation for FC Nantes. Thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory, Lens officially secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League, while Nantes were mathematically relegated to Ligue 2 after a crushing defeat.
The decisive moment belonged to 16-year-old sensation Meziane Mesloub, whose dream debut instantly entered club history. Introduced in the second half, the teenager needed just five seconds to make his mark, scoring with his very first touch after coming off the bench — a remarkable record-breaking goal that sent the home supporters into absolute delirium.
Lens had looked the more dangerous side throughout the evening, controlling possession and creating the clearer opportunities. The hosts thought they had scored on two separate occasions, only for the referee to disallow both goals for offside and handball decisions.
2025-26, France - Ligue 1
Lens - Nantes 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Soares Mez., 79 (1:0)
Lens: Risser; Baidoo S.; Udol; Sarr Mal.; Ganiou; Haidara A. (Sylla, 65); Soares Mez.; Bulatović; Sima A.; Édouard O. (Aguilar, 59); Saïd W. (Bermont, 79); Fofana R-n (Sotoca, 46)
Substitution: Sotoca (from 46); Aguilar (from 59); Sylla (from 65); Bermont (from 79)
Bench: Gorgelin; Čelik N.; Masuaku; Antonio K.
Yellow Cards: Sima A. 15; Bulatović 36
Nantes: Anthony L.; Cozza; Awaziem; Abline (El Arabi, 82); Acapandié; Guilbert (Tabibou, 87); Radaković (Youssef, 66); Lepenant; Sissoko I.; Kaba M. (Leroux, 82); Ganago (Mostafa Mohamed, 82)
Substitution: Youssef (from 66); Leroux (from 82); El Arabi (from 82); Mostafa Mohamed (from 82); Tabibou (from 87)
Bench: Carlgren; Doucoure S.; Cabella; Guirassy B.
Yellow Cards: Youssef 75
