Sporting ends Lens's unbeaten run in the Champions League

The 0-2 defeat of Racing Club de Lens against Sporting CP at Bollaert‑Delelis marks the first home loss in the Champions League since December 9, 1998, dropping the Sang et Or to the provisional 16th place in the standings and handing the group lead to the Portuguese club.

A first in more than twenty‑seven years

Yannick Cahuzac's men, nicknamed the Sang, saw their hopes evaporate after a first quarter‑hour dominated by the hosts. The last home defeat dated back to the match against Dynamo Kiev (1‑3) in December 1998, a benchmark that had just been broken.

Match progression

Sporting opened the scoring in the 22nd minute thanks to Luis Suárez, who struck the first post. Lens responded quickly, but chances from Franjo Ivanović (34’) and Amadou Haidara (36’) ended with a post and a save by the opposing goalkeeper. A second goal, scored by Issa Doumbia in the 74th minute, sealed the match's fate.

Immediate consequences

With a win and a loss in this group stage, Sporting now occupies the provisional top spot, while Lens, after dominating the first half, virtually drops to 16th place and risks a further slide in the standings. Regrets will be many, the chances created by the Sang et Or never finding the back of the net.

The Lens coach made four substitutions between the 58th and 68th minute, but none provided the sought‑after solution. Florian Thauvin, among the players under scrutiny, saw his lack of realism and a few defensive errors contribute to the defeat.

The match, played on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 18:45, was refereed by Igor Pajac. The official line‑ups showed a 3‑4‑3 for both sides, with R. Risser and R. Aguilar in defence for Lens, and K. Pereira and Azarias in attack for Sporting.

In the coming days, Lens will travel away to face Club Brugge on October 21, while Sporting will host LASK Linz on the same date, each seeking to consolidate or overturn the current group situation.