Soccer-Openda still on fire as Lens jump up to second with Rennes win


Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Stade Rennes v RC Lens - Roazhon Park, Rennes, France - April 1, 2023 Stade Rennes' Christopher Maurice Wooh in action with RC Lens' Lois Openda REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

PARIS (Reuters) - Lois Openda struck in the first half as RC Lens claimed a 1-0 win at Stade Rennais to leapfrop Olympique de Marseille into second place in the Ligue 1 standings on Saturday.

The Belgium striker found the back of the net for the 15th time this season in the league to put the northerners on 60 points from 29 games, ahead of OM on goal difference after the Provence side drew 1-1 with Montpellier on Friday.

Paris St Germain lead the standings on 66 points before hosting Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday.

Rennes are fifth on 50 points.

Lens, who are back on track after a four-match winless streak in February, went ahead in the 31st minute when Openda headed home from Florian Sotoca's cross for his sixth goal in his last three Ligue 1 games.

Rennes reacted immediately, only for Benjamin Bourigeaud's strike to crash onto the bar and Karl Toko Ekambi's attempt to go just wide before the break.

Sekou Fofana came close to doubling Lens's advantage in the second half, but his header went wide.

Keeper Brice Samba then made sure the visitors would leave the Roazhon Park with all three points with a couple of fine saves to deny Arnaud Kalimuendo and Bourigeaud as Franck Haise's team secured their third win in a row.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Football

Soccer-Popp the hero as 10-man Marinos advance to Asian Champions League final
Soccer-Man City's Haaland to miss Brighton game but Guardiola says injury not serious
Soccer-Austria coach Rangnick confirms contact with Bayern Munich
Soccer-Liverpool in talks with Feyenoord over Slot to replace Klopp - Dutch media reports
Soccer-Former Argentina striker Tevez hospitalised
Soccer-Doncaster close on League Two playoffs after remarkable 10-game winning run
Soccer-Pochettino frustrated by Chelsea's inconsistency after thrashing at Arsenal
Soccer-Havertz coming good at perfect time for Arsenal
Soccer-Late Milik strike sends Juventus into Coppa Italia final
Soccer-Arsenal hammer Chelsea to move three points clear at the top

Others Also Read