PLAYER RATINGS | Lille 1-0 Lens: Matias Fernandez-Pardo’s strike wins Derby du Nord | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 27, 30/03/25

A much anticipated Derby du Nord awaited the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with Lille OSC and RC Lens deep in the race for European football. Lille would take all three points and leap up to fifth in the table (level on points with OGC Nice in fourth), after Matias Fernandez-Pardo capitalised on Matthew Ryan’s first-half error.

The Match

Injuries to Juma Bah and Jonathan Gradit meant Will Still provided the 17-year-old Kyllian Antonio with his debut. The teenager had a nervy start to his professional career as he lost control of Lucas Chevalier’s long ball, allowing Matias Fernandez-Pardo to steal in and poke a rushed shot towards Matthew Ryan in the second minute.

It was a moment that perhaps shaped the goalkeeper’s decision-making in the 19th minute. Ryan rushed off his line and gave a shout to Antonio to leave the ball. The goalkeeper took possession and then awkwardly turned across the goal, looking for an exit route. Fernandez-Pardo was once again there to steal in and fire into an open net to put Lille ahead.

Lens had approached this game with a gameplan of sitting back and soaking up pressure. It was a clear mistake, and Lille were cruising in the first half, controlling possession, peppering Ryan’s goal with shots, and preventing their rivals from recording a single shot in return. Les Sang et Or took a more proactive approach for the final few minutes of the half but the advantage was firmly in Lille’s hands.

It would take until the 57th minute for Lens to trouble Chevalier’s goal with a shot. André Gomes brought down Nampalys Mendy outside of the box. Neil El Aynaoui stepped up, and his free kick found the target but couldn’t beat the Lille goalkeeper.

It was a far more even game as two of the league’s best defensive records (Lille as the second best and Lens as third) worked to neutralise each other for large stretches of the second half. Lens prevented their hosts from recording another shot and hit a flurry of late chances that left Lille fortunate to be able to hold onto their lead.

M’Bala Nzola came agonisingly close to equalising for the away side twice. The striker was able to latch onto a throw-in but saw a speculative shot drift wide. A few minutes later, the Lens top scorer found himself leaping highest to meet a cross, but his header could only float over the bar. The visitors kept pushing, but the damage had been done; an early error was enough to settle the 100th top-flight meeting between these two local rivals.

Lille Player Ratings

Lucas Chevalier – 5

Very very little to do throughout most of the game. He was largely a spectator until the 57th minute. However, he played a vital role in keeping a clean sheet when the tides turned and Lens began to attack with far more purpose.

Ismaily – 6

Replaced by Gabriel Gudmundsson in the 78th minute.

Aïssa Mandi – 6

Bafodé Diakité – 6

Thomas Meunier – 6

Benjamin André – 6

Ngal’ayel Mukau – 6

A good performance for the midfielder, particularly in the first half when Lille were in the ascendency. He has a great eye for a pass and has a brilliant ability to stride into the box. He forced a big intervention from Neil El Aynaoui that could have been dangerous. Like most of the Lille players, the second half wasn’t as good. Replaced by Nabil Bentaleb in the 78th minute.

André Gomes – 6

Replaced by Ayyoub Bouaddi in the 78th minute.

Matias Fernandes-Pardo – 7

The goalscorer was consistently the brightest spark for Lille’s attack during the first half. He had a handful of opportunities to add to his opener. The second half was a bit less exciting for the winger as Lens became more assured and prevented the hosts from registering another shot. Replaced by Osame Sahraoui in the 66th minute.

Jonathan David – 4

Mitchel Bakker – 4

Lens Player Ratings

Matt Ryan – 4

Outside of the goal, the Australian had a fine performance. He made several saves that prevented Lille from adding to their lead in the first half. However, the error for the goal can’t be ignored, and it was a mistake that cost Lens the game.

Facundo Medina – 6

Malang Sarr – 6

Kyllian Antonio – 4

A very difficult rating to provide for the teenager. He had an awful first half where he looked completely unready for the step up to the first team. However, the second half was far more impressive. He was comfortable on the ball and didn’t make any further errors. The ability to bounce back from what could have been a nightmare debut is very pleasing to see. Replaced by Anass Zaroury in the 83rd minute

Deiver Machado – 5

Nampalys Mendy – 6

Replaced by Andy Diouf in the 63rd minute.

Neil El Aynaoui – 6

Ruben Aguilar – 5

Replaced by Jeremy Agbonifo in the 83rd minute.

Wesley Saïd – 4

Replaced by Adrien Thomasson in the 63rd minute.

M’Bala Nzola – 4

The Lens top scorer has struggled since the start of the year, having only scored once in 2025. He didn’t really impose himself on the game until the final stretch, but then he snatched at his chances. It was a great opportunity to really turn around a difficult patch in his season and deliver a huge blow to the club’s biggest rivals.

Florian Sotoca – 4

Replaced by Goduine Koyalipou in the 72nd minute.

GFFN | Nick Hartland