Thauvin lifts Lens to upset win over PSG
Florian Thauvin's first-half goal clinched the Trophee des Champions for 10-man Lens as they edged Paris Saint-Germain 1-0.
Last season's Coupe de France winner had Kyllian Antonio sent off just seven minutes after its 32nd-minute goal.
Fabian Ruiz saw a goal disallowed for offside late on before Nuno Mendes was also shown a straight red card, but even late drama did not stop Lens from lifting the trophy for the first time.
PSG started strong, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia seeing an early effort saved, with Maghnes Akliouche also firing off target as they failed to find an opener.
In the 32nd minute, Matthieu Udol scuffed a shot well wide, but Thauvin had stayed onside and raced onto the loose ball to coolly slot past Matvey Safonov.
Moments later, Lens was dealt a blow as Antonio was shown a straight red card after sliding in late on Akliouche, leading with his studs.
Desire Doue came closest to taking advantage of PSG's numerical advantage on the stroke of half-time, hitting the corner of the goalframe from a tight angle on the right of the box.
PSG continued to push for an equaliser after the break, and it looked like Fabian had pulled PSG level in the 77th minute after he coolly knocked his low effort past Robin Risser, but an offside in the build-up cut his celebrations short.
Dembele then blazed over from point-blank range, while Mendes received his marching orders in the 87th minute after catching Michal Skoras with his elbow.
With a level playing field once again, Lens pushed forward in search of a second and thought they had found it through Udol's diving header.
He beat Safonov from close range, but the referee's whistle had already gone for a foul earlier in the move, much to Lens' frustration, even if it mattered little in the end.
