Paris Saint-Germain suffers their first defeat of the season at Lens

Paris Saint-Germain have lost for the first time in a competition since 20 March last year, when they were defeated 3-1 at Lens on Sunday.

Lois Openda scored one and set up another as Lens, who have lost just once in Ligue 1 this season, reduced the gap to top PSG to four points after 17 rounds.

PSG’s last defeat was over nine months ago, when they lost 3-0 at Monaco in Ligue 1, though this still left them 12 points clear at the top of the table.

At Lens on Sunday, PSG were without World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Brazil’s suspended Neymar, but Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappé in Qatar received a warm welcome from Lens fans during the warm-up.

Lens was less welcoming once play started. They took the lead after five minutes when PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma blocked a shot from Massadio Haidara to Przemyslaw Frankowski who scored.

Hugo Ekitike replied three minutes later, waving hard as Brice Samba dived to collect a cross and send the ball through the Lens goalkeeper’s grip.

Lens took control after 28 minutes. Seko Fofana won possession on the edge of his own box, overcame a couple of challenges, then gauged a pass between PSG centre-backs at Openda. Belgium sprinted away and dunked a shot under Donnarumma.

Lens landed the decisive blow 2′ into the second half.

Openda’s back-heel in the penalty area left the defense unprepared and allowed Alexis Claude Maurice to score from close range.