Lens and Lyon Open New Ligue 1 Season with Wins
In the opening round of France's Ligue 1, Lens crushed Auxerre 5:2 at home while Lyon claimed a 2:0 away win over Toulouse.
The first round of France's top football division, Ligue 1, brought victories for last season's runners-up Lens and for Lyon.
Lens delivered a commanding 5:2 home win over Auxerre, with six of the match's seven goals coming in the second half. The hosts took the lead in the first half through a penalty converted by Florian Thauvin. The contest was further shaped when Auxerre defender Christ Makosso was sent off, leaving the visitors to play with ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Auxerre still managed to score twice in the second half. Lens, however, proved far more clinical, adding four more goals of their own. Thauvin capped the match by converting a second penalty, completing his personal brace.
Lyon secured a 2:0 away victory over Toulouse, with both goals scored in the second half by Noah Nartey and Malick Fofana.
The remaining fixtures of the round ended level. Nice and Lorient played out a goalless draw, as did Paris FC and Troyes. Le Mans and Brest produced a higher-scoring encounter, finishing 2:2.
Following the opening round, Lens sits atop the standings with a maximum points tally and the best goal difference, while Thauvin, with two goals, emerged as the round's top scorer.
