Coupe de France Final: Lens Down Nice 3-1 as RC Lens Secure Historic First Title

The Coupe de France final at the Stade de France began at a high tempo as both sides sought the trophy. Lens threatened early when Allan Saint-Maximin’s shot rose narrowly over the crossbar, while Nice responded with Elye Wahi’s close-range effort that did not hit the target. Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser produced a string of excellent saves in the first half, denying Sofiane Diop and Dante.

The deadlock broke in the 25th minute after Matthieu Udol’s cutback found Florian Thauvin in the box; Thauvin finished with a precise left-footed shot from around 15 yards, his 14th goal of the season, giving Lens a 1-0 lead.

Just before half-time, Lens doubled their advantage through a well-worked corner. Thauvin’s set-piece was nodded home by Odsonne Édouard, with the ball deflecting past Nice keeper Maxime Dupé to make it 2-0.

Nice reduced the deficit in stoppage time of the first half when Djibril Coulibaly headed in from a Jonathan Clauss corner, leaving the score at 2-1 going into the break.

In the second half, Claude Puel’s Nice pushed to find an equaliser, and Antoine Mendy almost drew level with a header that struck the crossbar.

Lens were restored to a two-goal cushion in the 78th minute when Abdallah Sima’s shot wrong-footed Dupé as the keeper advanced, extending the lead to 3-1.

Nice continued to press, but a late substitute by Kevin Carlos could not prevent Lens from sealing the historic win as the final whistle blew.

Nice will now travel to AS Saint-Étienne for the first leg of the Ligue 1 relegation play-off on Tuesday. Lens, meanwhile, have secured a landmark trophy after advancing to the final following a 4-1 win over Toulouse, with Thauvin and Allan Saint-Maximin starring for Lens in that tie.