Divock Origi Strike Secures Vital Win for Lille in Northern Derby
Lille edged closer to securing their place on the Ligue 1 podium with a narrow 1-0 victory over regional rivals Valenciennes on Saturday, thanks to a decisive goal from young Belgian striker Divock Origi.
In a tense northern derby played at Stade Pierre-Mauroy as part of Matchday 33, the hosts were made to work hard for all three points. Despite dominating large spells of the match, Lille struggled to convert pressure into goals, particularly during a frustrating first half.
The Dogues came closest in the 17th minute when former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou struck the post. Earlier, Djibril Sidibé had tested the reflexes of Valenciennes goalkeeper Novaes in the 13th minute, while Nolan Roux saw a promising chance go begging just before the break.
The second half continued in similar fashion, with Novaes again called into action just two minutes in to deny Sidibé’s driven effort. However, Valenciennes began to grow into the game, showing greater ambition going forward — a shift that ultimately left them exposed at the back.
That vulnerability was punished in the 70th minute. Just 15 minutes after coming off the bench, Divock Origi broke the deadlock with a composed finish at the end of a swift Lille counterattack. The 19-year-old’s strike was enough to seal the win, despite a late surge from the visitors in a desperate attempt to salvage a point.
Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, as ever, was reliable between the posts, preserving his side’s clean sheet with some late interventions.
The victory keeps Lille firmly in third place, reinforcing their hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification next season. For Valenciennes, the loss compounds their relegation worries, with time running out to climb out of the drop zone.
Final Score: Lille 1 – 0 Valenciennes
Goal: Origi (70′)
