# Resilience in Lombardy: How Lens Overcame Villarreal to Secure the Como Cup

**By Tomás Ferreira**  \nPublished August 4, 2026  \nUpdated September 9, 2026

> After falling behind early to Ayoze Pérez, Dino Toppmöller's RC Lens roared back with goals from Matthieu Udol, Florian Thauvin, and Rayan Fofana to claim the trophy in Como.

In the high-stakes atmosphere of a pre-season final, momentum can be a fickle thing. For RC Lens, the early stages of the Como Cup final at the Stade Giuseppe Sinigaglia suggested a night of frustration. For only four minutes, the "Sous-marin jaune" of Villarreal held all the cards, piercing the Lensois defense with clinical precision.

The Spanish side struck first when Gerard Moreno, showing the vision that defines his leadership, delivered a sublime lobbed pass into the depth of the defense. Ayoze Pérez, capitalizing on a momentary lapse by the Lens backline, adjusted Mathieu Gorgelin to slot home the opener in the 4th minute. At that moment, Lens looked vulnerable, caught cold by a Villarreal side that seemed to be operating on a higher gear of tactical synchronicity.

## The Thauvin-Udol Catalyst

However, the response from Dino Toppmöller’s men was not merely reactive; it was structured. The turning point arrived just four minutes later, and it was orchestrated by captain Florian Thauvin. Operating with high intensity, Thauvin unleashed a "quarterback" style opening pass that found Matthieu Udol in stride. Udol, playing as a piston in Toppmöller's 3-4-3 system, outmaneuvered his marker and struck a powerful shot low toward the near post to level the score at 1-1 in the 8th minute.

This quick turnaround stabilized a Lens side that had previously struggled with Villarreal's rapid combinations. The first half became a testament to the shot-stopping capabilities of Mathieu Gorgelin. The Lens keeper was forced into several high-leverage interventions, most notably parrying a stinging 25-meter strike from Alberto Moleiro and denying Ayoze Pérez with a crucial save in the 36th minute. While Villarreal appeared more polished in their buildup, Lens remained a constant threat on the transition.

## A Breakdown in Discipline

As the second half progressed, the tactical battle shifted from technical proficiency to psychological endurance. Villarreal entered the interval with a slight edge in tempo, but Lens began to find their rhythm through the movements of Rayan Fofana and the creative spark of Mezian Mesloub.

The decisive blow came in the 61st minute. Fofana, utilizing his signature change of pace, drove into the box and forced a mistake from Pau Navarro. Despite a slowed run-up, Florian Thauvin remained composed, converting the resulting penalty with his left foot to hand Lens a 2-1 lead.

What followed was a total collapse of Villarreal's discipline. The Spanish side, already struggling to contain the Lensois' verticality, saw their composure shatter. Sergi Cardona was sent off in the 82nd minute after receiving a second yellow card for a preventable foul on Michał Skóraś. As the numerical advantage shifted, Lens exploited the vacated spaces with ruthless efficiency.

### The Fofana Seal

In stoppage time, the game was effectively put to bed. Mesloub, who had become a difficult profile for Villarreal to track, provided a perfectly weighted outside-of-the-foot pass to find Rayan Fofana. The forward, showing the clinical edge required for a championship winner, finished past goalkeeper Junior to make it 3-1 in the 90+1 minute.

The final moments were marred by further volatility. A frustrated Navarro committed a foul on Skóras in the 90+3 minute, earning a second red card and leaving Villarreal to finish the match with only nine players on the pitch. It was an ignominious end for the Groguets, but a triumphant one for the Artésiens.

## Evidence-Led Forecast: The Bollaert Showdown

This victory provides a significant psychological boost as Lens prepares for their next test against Sunderland before facing the ultimate litmus test: the Trophée des Champions against PSG at Bollaert on August 16.

- **Likely Tactical Pattern:** Expect Toppmöller to maintain the 3-4-3 structure that yielded success in Como. Lens will likely look to utilize high-intensity pressing to disrupt PSG's buildup, specifically targeting the half-spaces occupied by their wing-backs.
- **Decisive Matchup:** The battle between Rayan Fofana and the PSG central defense. Fofana's ability to exploit space in transition, as seen against Villarreal, will be the primary way Lens can punish a PSG side that often commits numbers forward.
- **Strongest Counter-Case:** If PSG manages to control the tempo through superior midfield possession, Lens may find themselves pinned in a deep defensive block, negating the counter-attacking threat that Thauvin and Fofana provide.
- **What Would Change the Read:** Any late-stage roster shifts or fitness concerns regarding the Lens starting XI following their intensive pre-season schedule in Italy.

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