Le Mans 2-2 Lens: Match Recap and Result

Match: 13 September 2026, 15:15 UTC · Published: 13 September 2026 · 383 words

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Le Mans and Lens drew 2-2 in Ligue 1 after the visitors wiped out a two-goal deficit either side of half-time. The hosts had looked in control at Stade Marie-Marvingt before Lens struck twice in a short spell around the interval.

Match Summary

The opening half hour stayed scoreless while the bookings arrived. Noa Boissé, Michaël Cuisance and Jean Vercruysse all went into the book before Le Mans found a way through.

Adil Bourabaa had the hosts in front after 32 minutes, and Lucas Calodat made it two in the 44th minute. Bourabaa was the provider this time. Andrija Bulatović was also cautioned for Lens as the home lead grew.

Lens answered immediately. Abdallah Sima scored in the 45th minute to make it 2-1 at the break, then Franjo Ivanovic leveled in the 51st minute with an assist from Ruben Aguilar. Florian Thauvin picked up a yellow two minutes after the equalizer.

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Thorgan Hazard had a finish ruled out in the 78th minute, so Lens were denied a late lead, and the match ended 2-2.

Key Moments

The late first-half burst from Le Mans was decisive because a two-goal lead looked like a platform to close out the game. Pulling one back before the interval mattered just as much for Lens. It kept the deficit at a single goal and set up the equalizer that arrived six minutes after the restart.

That recovery left Le Mans protecting a point instead of a win. The ruled-out effort in the 78th minute was the final swing. Had it stood, Lens would have taken all three points rather than one.

Match Statistics

Le Mans saw more of the ball with 54 percent possession, but Lens produced the heavier attacking numbers. The visitors took 15 shots to 12 and put six on target against four, while also winning nine corners to three. Five yellow cards were shown, two to Le Mans and three to Lens, and there were no dismissals.

What the Result Means

Le Mans are 15th in Ligue 1 with two points from three matches and a goal difference of minus one. Their last three games have brought two draws and one loss. Lens sit 11th with three points from three matches and a goal difference of plus one, after one win and two losses in that run. A single point separates the sides.