RC Strasbourg secured their first victory of the season. Heavily defeated in Marseille on the opening day, the Alsatians responded perfectly in front of their home crowd, dominating RC Lens (2-1) this Saturday, on the second matchday of Ligue 1. Trailing at halftime after a penalty from Florian Thauvin, Racing turned the game around thanks to a brace from Gessime Yassine, who scored decisive goals in the 48th and 85th minutes.
Thauvin scores his 100th Ligue 1 goal
Strasbourg started the match better, quickly putting the Lens defense under pressure. Lens gradually managed to regain their composure and created several dangerous opportunities. In the 21st minute, Filip Jörgensen made a crucial save from Michaël Cuisance. A few minutes later, Abdallah Sima drew a foul from Jérémy Jacquet Mitchell in the penalty area. Florian Thauvin took the penalty and beat the Strasbourg goalkeeper to give Lens the lead in the 37th minute. This goal was particularly symbolic for the Lens captain: at 33 years old, Florian Thauvin reached the milestone of 100 Ligue 1 goals in his 294th appearance in the top flight. The 2018 World Cup winner became the 90th player in the history of the league to reach this mark.
Yassine strikes immediately after returning from the locker room.
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Strasbourg returned to the pitch with renewed purpose. Just three minutes after the restart, Gessime Yassine leveled the score. Finding himself in the box, the Strasbourg winger unleashed a powerful shot across goal, beating Robin Risser to score his first goal of the evening. The Alsatian pressure didn't let up. A few minutes later, Julio Ortega even thought he had given Racing the lead after Risser made an initial save from a Sebastian Nanasi header. However, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed for offside.
Gessime Yassine secures the victory for Strasbourg
Strasbourg continued to press and were finally rewarded five minutes from the end of regulation time. From another Nanasi cross, Gessime Yassine appeared at the far post and scored with his right foot. His second goal of the match gave Racing the lead for the first time that afternoon: 2-1 in the 85th minute. Lens, however, had one last golden opportunity to equalize. In the 89th minute, Matthieu Udol headed a Thauvin corner against the post. Jörgensen then saved Ganiou's attempt, before making another save in stoppage time from a Florian Sotoca header. Strasbourg ultimately held onto their lead until the final whistle.
Strasbourg erases the defeat received in Marseille
This victory allows RCSA to react immediately after their heavy 4-0 defeat at Olympique de Marseille on the opening day. Strasbourg finally got their first points on the board and now have three after two matches. Lens, on the other hand, are experiencing the exact opposite trajectory. After a perfect start to their season with a spectacular 5-2 victory against Auxerre, the Sang et Or (Blood and Gold) suffered their first defeat of the Ligue 1 campaign. Both teams now have three points after two matchdays.
Gessime Yassine, hero of the Meinau
At 20 years old, Gessime Yassine scored the first brace of his Ligue 1 career, giving Strasbourg their first win of the season. In a match where Robin Risser kept Lens in the game for a long time, the Moroccan winger finally turned the tide with his two goals in the second half.
