Aug 22 (Reuters) - Racing Lens and Olympique Lyonnais, who were second and fourth respectively in Ligue 1 last season, began the new French league campaign with wins on Saturday that will boost their hopes in the Champions League over the next few weeks.
Lens, who are in the Champions League opening phase, had a convincing 5-2 home win over 10-man Auxerre while Lyon, who have a playoff second-leg at home to Fenerbahce on Wednesday with the teams level at 1-1, scored late goals to win 2-0 at Toulouse.
Saturday’s other Ligue 1 matches on the opening weekend were all drawn, with Nice, who barely escaped relegation last season, held 0-0 at home by Lorient while Paris FC also played out a goalless draw at newly promoted Troyes.
Le Mans, also promoted from Ligue 2, drew 2-2 at home to Stade Brestois, coming from behind to go 2-1 up but then conceding the equaliser to Kamory Doumbia.
Florian Thauvin scored two penalties for Lens with Croatian striker Franjo Ivanovic, Saudi defender Saud Abdulhamid and defender Ismaelo Ganiou also getting on the scoresheet.
Cameroonian striker Danny Namaso converted from the penalty spot and defender Lamine Sy netted for Auxerre, who went down to 10 men when Christ Makosso was sent off for a last-man foul.
Noah Nartey and Malick Fofana were Lyon's scorers.
Champions Paris St Germain kick off their Ligue 1 season at Stade Rennais on Sunday when there are three matches.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Johannesburg; Editing by Ken Ferris)
