Lens secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Slavia Prague on Thursday, September 10, marking their return to the UEFA Champions League during the first day of the league phase. The match took place at the electric Fortuna Arena, where Lens, led by coach Dino Toppmöller, overcame defensive challenges and a late goal from Slavia Prague’s Danijel Sturm in the 88th minute to secure a dramatic last-minute win. The French team, known as "Sang et Or" (Blood and Gold), is making its fourth appearance in the Champions League in its history, having previously returned in 1999, 2003, and now 2024. The match was not without its difficulties, as Lens struggled defensively in the first half and had to adjust to a numerical advantage after a Slavia Prague defender was sent off in the second half. Despite these challenges, Lens showed resilience and determination throughout the match. The team managed to equalize through a goal from Abdallah Sima, who has been a key player for the club in recent seasons. The momentum shifted in the final moments of the game, with Florian Thauvin scoring in the 90th minute plus one to put Lens ahead. Just three minutes later, Ruben Aguilar added a crucial goal to seal the victory, leaving Slavia Prague with a last-minute consolation goal from Sturm. The win was a significant achievement for Lens, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure in one of Europe’s most prestigious competitions. The match highlighted the team’s ability to adapt and push forward even when facing adversity, particularly in the final stages of the game. For the fans at the Fortuna Arena, the victory was a memorable display of passion and support for their team. Lens will now turn their attention to their next Champions League match, scheduled for October 13 against Sporting CP. The team will aim to build on this victory and continue their campaign in the league phase, which determines the teams that will advance to the knockout stages of the competition.