Lens beats PSG in match marred by two red cards to claim first French Super Cup

Lens pulled off a surprise 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the French Super Cup, a match that saw both teams reduced to ten players by the final whistle.

PSG, who had won the UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa in Salzburg just the day before, made several changes to their defensive lineup for the Lens fixture. The hosts took the lead in the 32nd minute when new captain Florian Thauvin finished off a strong cross from Mathieu Udol at the far post.

Seven minutes later, Lens were reduced to ten men themselves, as 18-year-old defender Kilian Antonio was sent off for a foul on PSG's new signing Magnes Akliouche. Despite the numerical advantage, PSG brought on several substitutes in the second half but could not find an equalizer. Late in the match, in the 87th minute, PSG also dropped to ten players after Portuguese defender Nuno Mendes was sent off for striking an opponent.

Lens held on to the narrow lead and secured the first Super Cup title in the club's history, completing a full set of major French football trophies: the league title (1998), the domestic cup (this year), the now-discontinued League Cup (1999), and now the Super Cup as well. The clubs' only previous Super Cup meeting came in 1998, when the roles were reversed and cup holders PSG beat league champions Lens.

Since 2013, PSG had appeared in the Super Cup 14 times in a row but had only failed to win it once before — in 2021, when Lille took the title.

The new Ligue 1 season kicks off Friday with a match between Marseille and Strasbourg. The following weekend, Lens will host Auxerre at home while PSG travel to face Rennes.