Ligue 1 Round 22: Lens Beat Nice Nice 2-0, Openda and Fofana. Defensive Line secures Clean Sheet.

# Lens Show Dominance Over Nice in Ligue 1 Round 22

## Lens Secure Victory with 2-0 Thrashing of Nice

In a convincing display, Lens defeated Nice 2-0 in Ligue 1 Round 22, reinforcing their recent stellar form. The match, played at Stade de France, showcased Lens' attacking prowess and defensive resilience.

### First Half: Openda Opens the Score

The game began with Lens dictating play from the start. Their pressure told in the 15th minute when Terem Moffi played in Kevin Openda, who slotted home from close range. Openda, on loan from Nice, proved to be a thorn in his former club's side, consistently threatening with his pace and dribbling ability. Despite Nice's attempts to contain him, Openda remained a constant threat.

Lens' defense, led by the experienced El Bilal Fofana, remained solid. Fofana, who has been pivotal to Lens' defensive stability, made several crucial interventions to snuff out Nice's counterattacks. The first half ended with Lens leading 1-0, thanks to Openda's early goal.

### Second Half: Lens Extend Lead with Second Goal

The second half saw Lens continue to dominate. In the 58th minute, a well-crafted counter-attack resulted in Openda teeing up Moffi, who fired a powerful shot into the top corner. Moffi's goal extended Lens' lead to 2-0.

Nice, despite their efforts to push back, struggled to break down Lens' defense. Fofana and his defensive partners remained unflustered, ensuring a clean sheet. Lens' ability to control possession and exploit Nice's defensive vulnerabilities was clinical.

### Full-Time: Lens' Defensive Line Shine

While Openda and Moffi were the obvious stars, Lens' defensive line also played a crucial role. Fofana, coupled with the likes of Jonathan Clauss and Benoit Poyet, ensured Nice couldn't find a breakthrough. This clean sheet was Lens' fourth of the season, highlighting their growing reliability at the back.

### Post-Match Reaction

After the match, Lens' manager Franck Hounhoula praised his side's overall performance. "We controlled the game from start to finish," he said. "Openda and Moffi did brilliantly, but it's the collective effort that matters most. We're happy with the three points, and the clean sheet is a bonus."

### Conclusion

This victory takes Lens to fifth place in Ligue 1, with 19 points collected so far. The win also highlights their growing confidence under Hounhoula's leadership. For Nice, this defeat will serve as a reminder of the gap they need to bridge to compete at the highest level. Lens' performance was a statement of their growing prowess in French football.