Nabil Bentaleb answers Vladimir Petkovic with decisive goal for Lille

Left out of Vladimir Petkovic’s Algeria squad for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, Nabil Bentaleb delivered his response on the pitch with a brilliant goal for Lille in Ligue 1.

Starting alongside fellow Algerian Aissa Mandi away to Auxerre, Bentaleb helped LOSC control the match and lead for nearly 50 minutes before the game turned chaotic.​

Lille were reduced to ten men from the 38th minute, and the hosts took advantage, first equalising and then going 2-1 up after an unfortunate own goal by Chancel Mbemba. But Bentaleb dragged his team back into it in the 77th minute, making it 2-2 with a superb volley from the edge of the box after a clearance from an Auxerre defender following a Lille cross.​

That goal sparked a wild finale, with three more goals scored before the final whistle as Lille eventually snatched a dramatic 4-3 victory at Auxerre.

In a week dominated by discussions over his omission from the national team, Bentaleb’s performance and goal served as a timely reminder of his quality in one of France’s toughest away grounds.