PSG beaten by Lens in French Champions' Trophy

LENS, France — Ten-man Lens denied Paris Saint-Germain a second trophy in five days, as Florian Thauvin's first-half goal secured a 1-0 victory in the French Champions' Trophy on Sunday.

Lens was the worthy winner in its first match under new coach Dino Toppmoller, adding to the French Cup title it won under previous boss Pierre Sage in May.

PSG, which beat Aston Villa on Wednesday in the UEFA Super Cup, struggled to find its flow at Lens' Stade Bollaert-Delelis, despite Kyllian Antonio being sent off for the host in the first half.

"I think we deserved more," insisted PSG coach Luis Enrique.

"But I have to congratulate Lens — they won, and they played very well, with their usual intensity.

"We played a very good match, but we didn't have the luck we needed."

PSG will now turn its attention to the start of its Ligue 1 title defense at home against Rennes this weekend.

It will be without Portugal defender Nuno Mendes for that match, after he was also dismissed late on.

Lens, runner-up in Ligue 1 behind PSG last season, qualified for this match by winning its first ever French Cup with a 3-1 final win over Nice.

Enrique named a strong side, making just three changes to the team which won the Super Cup, including giving Lucas Digne his return debut following the France left-back rejoining the club from Villa.

But Bradley Barcola, widely linked with a possible move to Liverpool, was not in the squad.

Dominated possession

The visitor dominated possession in the opening stages but struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser making a comfortable save from a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shot.

Lens grew into the contest and grabbed a 32nd-minute lead when PSG failed to clear the ball and Thauvin slotted home at the back post from Matthieu Udol's cross.

But Toppmoller's men were dealt a big blow six minutes before halftime when Antonio was dismissed for a studs-up tackle on Maghnes Akliouche.

PSG almost made the most of its one-man advantage before the break, but Desire Doue's effort from a tight angle bounced off the crossbar.

The European champion continued to labor after the restart, though, and Thauvin flashed a strike wide as Lens continued to threaten on the counter.

PSG substitute Mendes came close to an equalizer, drilling a dipping long-range shot narrowly over the bar.

Enrique also sent on Fabian Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele from the bench, with the latter drawing another simple save from Risser.

PSG was reduced to 10 men itself with three minutes remaining, as Mendes was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball elbow to the face of Lens winger Michal Skoras.

AFP