Lens 3-2 Slavia Prague: Two stoppage-time goals seal dramatic Champions League comeback

Lens scored twice in stoppage time to complete a remarkable 3-2 comeback against Slavia Prague in a five-goal Champions League thriller on Thursday.

Ruben Aguilar delivered the decisive moment in the 93rd minute, collecting the ball on the edge of the penalty area before placing his shot into the bottom corner. His goal completed a turnaround in which Lens had twice recovered from behind.

Slavia started strongly and almost took the lead inside the opening minute. Danijel Sturm burst into the box but pulled his effort wide, before threatening again shortly afterwards when his cross found Stepan Chaloupek. The defender, however, could not direct his header on target.

Lens gradually grew into the contest, with former Slavia forward Abdallah Sima wasting a good chance after being released by Florian Thauvin.

Matthieu Udol then tested Jakub Markovic twice from a corner, while Slavia thought they had gone ahead when Emmanuel Ayaosi found the net. The goal was ruled out after Ayaosi was judged to have handled the ball.

The match remained goalless at half-time despite an open first 45 minutes, but the second half began with a major turning point.

Slavia substitute Mikulas Konecny was shown a red card after a lengthy VAR review concluded he had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity. The hosts were reduced to 10 men, and Thauvin nearly made them pay immediately, sending a free-kick narrowly wide.

Instead, Slavia responded with a goal. Sturm produced a superb finish into the top corner to put the home side ahead and send the supporters into celebration.

Lens continued to attack and came close to an equaliser when Tomas Vlcek made an important goalline clearance to prevent Thauvin scoring.

The visitors eventually found a way through when Sima converted from close range against his former club to make it 1-1.

Slavia remained resilient despite their numerical disadvantage and regained the lead after Sturm scored for a second time, finishing following a scramble in the penalty area caused by a free-kick.

Lens refused to settle for defeat and levelled again in the 91st minute. Thauvin rose to head the ball beyond Markovic and make it 2-2.

With the game appearing to be heading for a draw, Lens produced one final attack. Aguilar received possession just outside the box and calmly found the bottom corner to complete an extraordinary victory.

The result was Lens’ first away win in European competition since September 2005. It also extended their unbeaten record in European opening matches to five games.

Slavia, meanwhile, have now gone 16 UEFA competition matches without a victory. Their latest defeat came despite taking the lead twice against a Lens side reduced to 10 men.