Lille earned their first Ligue 1 victory of 2026 by defeating Angers 1-0 at Stade Raymond-Kopa. Olivier Giroud scored the decisive penalty goal late in the first half. The win boosts Lille's position in the top five while halting Angers' home winning streak.
The match took place at Stade Raymond-Kopa without spectators due to local weather issues. Lille, under Bruno Genesio, dominated the early stages. In the sixth minute, Gaetan Perrin set up Félix Correia in the six-yard box, but the Portuguese winger shot wide of the left post.
Within the first 15 minutes, Matias Fernandez-Pardo created two clear chances. His first attempt was saved by Angers goalkeeper Herve Koffi, and the second, a header from the edge of the six-yard box, glanced wide of the far post.
Late in the first half, Lille were awarded a penalty after Jordan Lefort fouled Tiago Santos. Olivier Giroud converted the spot-kick into the bottom-right corner, marking his first league goal since November.
After the restart, Lille pressed forward. Around the 60th minute, Calvin Verdonk delivered a pinpoint cross to Giroud, whose effort was denied by a phenomenal save from Koffi in the bottom corner.
Clear chances became scarce as Lille sat on their lead. Tiago Santos struck the bar late in the game, but Lille held firm to secure the victory. This result lifts Les Dogues back into Ligue 1's top five and provides momentum ahead of their UEFA Europa League clash with Red Star Belgrade on Thursday.
Angers, known as Le SCO, remain in mid-table after suffering a second successive defeat without scoring. Flashscore named Benjamin Andre of Lille as Man of the Match.
