Super Eagles winger Moses Simon was on the scoresheet as Nantes claimed a much-needed 3-1 victory over RC Lens at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday.
After suffering a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Monaco in their previous game and winning just once in their last eight outings, Nantes entered the match under immense pressure.
Lens, also desperate to bounce back from back-to-back losses to PSG and Nice, aimed to capitalize on their opponents’ struggles.
Backed by their home supporters, Nantes started brightly and took the lead in the 36th minute when Louis Leroux fired in a superb left-footed strike.
The hosts held onto their advantage heading into halftime, despite Lens showing flashes of attacking intent.
Simon’s Spot-Kick Helps Nantes Regain Control
The second half saw Lens push harder for an equalizer, dominating possession and creating chances.
However, against the run of play, Nantes were awarded a penalty after a VAR review, and Moses Simon stepped up to convert it with confidence, doubling his team’s lead.
Just minutes later, Lens found a lifeline when they were also awarded a penalty following another VAR intervention. Neil El Aynaoui made no mistake from the spot, halving the deficit.
However, Lens’ hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed when M’bala Nzola was shown a red card, reducing them to 10 men. With the numerical advantage, Nantes regained control and nullified Lens’ attacking threats before Meschack Elia sealed the victory in the dying minutes with a composed finish.
Simon’s Standout Performance
Beyond his goal, Simon was a key creative force for Nantes, showcasing his dribbling skills and playmaking ability.
His four successful dribbles, two key passes, and four accurate crosses kept the Lens defense on edge throughout the match.
His all-around contribution included: 51 touches and an impressive 90% pass accuracy (18/20 completed passes).
One clearance and eight duels won out of 14 contested. Three fouls drawn, highlighting his impact in one-on-one battles. One big chance missed, but his influence on the game remained undeniable.
Nantes Climb the Table
With the victory, Nantes move up to 14th place in Ligue 1 with 24 points from 23 matches, while Lens remain eighth, nine points ahead of them.
Up next, Moses Simon and his teammates travel to face Marseille, hoping to build on this morale-boosting result and extend their momentum with another strong performance.
