Lens make it eight straight wins to reclaim top spot in Ligue 1

Lens reclaimed top spot from the clutches of defending Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain as Wesley Said’s 65th-minute winner earned a 1-0 triumph over Auxerre.

After seeing Luis Enrique’s team thump Lille 3-0 on Friday, Lens edged a nervy encounter at Stade Bollaert-Delelis to keep their fine league form going.

Pierre Sage’s side were frustrated in the first half but improved after the break, taking the lead just after the hour when Said took the ball down his chest before finding the net.

And that moment proved to be decisive for Lens, who have now won each of their last eight Ligue 1 games, recording their longest winning streak in the French top flight.

Indeed, only LaLiga leaders Barcelona (nine) are on a longer stretch across Europe’s top five leagues, and belief is starting to grow that Lens can pull off the impossible.

They have 43 points after 18 Ligue 1 games in 2025-26, their highest tally at this stage of a season in the division.

Counting the three points for a win, only three of the 18 teams that have had at least 43 points after 18 Ligue 1 games have not been crowned the champions.