RC Lens won the French Cup for the first time in club history after defeating OGC Nice 3-1 in the final at the Stade de France on Friday. The victory capped a remarkable season for Lens, who also secured a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Former France international Florian Thauvin played a decisive role in the final, scoring the opening goal and later providing an assist for Odsonne Edouard as Lens raced into a two-goal lead before halftime. Thauvin struck in the 25th minute with a fine finish before Edouard headed home from a corner to double the advantage for the northern French club.

Nice managed to pull a goal back just before the break through teenager Djibril Coulibaly, who scored his first senior goal to revive hopes of a comeback. The Ligue 1 side came close to equalising in the second half and struck the woodwork twice, with Antoine Mendy notably hitting the crossbar shortly after the restart.

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However, Lens regained control of the contest and sealed the historic triumph in the 78th minute when substitute Abdallah Sima converted from close range after a defensive error involving veteran Brazilian defender Dante. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations among Lens supporters, who overwhelmingly filled the nearly sold-out Stade de France.

The title represents the first French Cup triumph in Lens’ history after losing in three previous finals, the most recent of which came in 1998 — the same year the club won its only Ligue 1 title. Under coach Pierre Sage, Lens have enjoyed one of the strongest seasons in the club’s modern history, emerging as one of the standout teams in French football.

For Nice, the defeat added to an already difficult campaign. The club finished third from bottom in Ligue 1 and now faces a crucial relegation play-off against AS Saint-Étienne to preserve its top-flight status. Lens, meanwhile, are expected to continue celebrations with supporters at Stade Bollaert before an open-top bus parade scheduled for Saturday.

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