Lens Beat PSG 1-0 to Win First-Ever Trophée des Champions

RC Lens players celebrate after lifting the Trophée des Champions.

For the first time in their existence, RC Lens have triumphed against PSG's domination by winning the trophy despite playing a man down for the entire game.

Lens Beat PSG 1-0 in Trophée des Champions

The team defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 on Sunday at their own Stade Bollaert-Delelis to take the 2026 Trophée des Champions, France's Super Cup. Florian Thauvin grabbed the winner in the 32nd minute as he made a run into the penalty box and arrived at the far post to beat goalkeeper Matvey Safonov after receiving a pass from his teammates who broke down the left side.

 Florian Thauvin celebrates after scoring the decisive goal for Lens.

Lens Hold On With 10 Men as PSG Push for Equalizer

The Parisians had more possession and controlled the territory for much of the game but failed to get an equalizer despite hitting the woodwork and forcing some saves from the goalkeeper. They were reduced to ten men for the final hour after midfielder Nuno Mendes received a red card for an elbow on Skoras.

There were two moments where goals were ruled out due to offside thanks to the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR). One was in the first half where Lens's Udol was ruled offside, while another in the latter period where PSG's Fabián Ruiz failed to convert after Ousmane Dembélé failed to beat the goalie in an open net.

In the end, the Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser made sure to keep the team's lead by making crucial saves.

Lens Win First-Ever Trophée des Champions

 Robin Risser makes a crucial save as Lens withstand PSG pressure.

It is a real feat for the RC Lens: they have never won the Trophée des Champions since its conception in 1955. Seven teams have won it in the thirty tournaments, and now the club joins them and becomes the eight as it is dominated by the biggest teams in French football.

This result means something more because Lens' opponent had the best record in this tournament ever: they have already won it fourteen times with four consecutive victories with the last taking place in the penalty shootout earlier this year against Marseille.

The only team that could take the Trophée away from PSG in the decade was Lille in 2021. This means something else for Lens because it is not about trophies; they have recently struggled with getting qualification for the European competitions, not outright wins.