Lens suffer European humiliation as Como win 9-1 in Champions League

Racing Club de Lens endured one of the heaviest defeats in their European history after being thrashed 9-1 by Como at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.

The home side were overwhelmed by an incisive Como team, with Tasos Douvikas at the centre of an extraordinary attacking display. The Greek forward opened the scoring after only seven minutes, finishing a move created by Perrone.

Lens struggled to match their opponents’ intensity and were unable to establish any control in attack. Douvikas doubled Como’s advantage in the 32nd minute, before Argentina international Nico Paz extended the visitors’ lead shortly before half-time to leave Lens 3-0 down at the break.

The match quickly turned into a historic rout after the interval. Lucas Da Cunha added Como’s fourth goal in the 47th minute, while Marc-Oliver Kempf struck six minutes later.

Douvikas completed his hat-trick in the 57th minute, making the Lens defence’s afternoon even more difficult. Como continued to find openings, and Mattia Liberali scored their seventh goal in the 62nd minute.

Lens briefly reduced the deficit three minutes later when Ruben Aguilar converted Florian Thauvin’s pass, but there was no sign of a recovery from the home team.

Martin Baturina restored Como’s seven-goal advantage by scoring their eighth, before Matteo Pappacioli completed the scoring with a ninth goal.

The result was particularly damaging for Lens because it came at home, in front of a stunned Stade Bollaert-Delelis crowd. The French club were undone by unusually generous defending and failed to produce a response as the scale of the defeat grew.

Lens must now show significant character to recover from one of the most painful nights in their European history and rebuild their confidence after Como’s emphatic victory.