Saud Abdulhamid makes attacking mark in Lens’ 5-2 win over Auxerre

Saudi Arabia international Saud Abdulhamid scored for Lens as they began their Ligue 1 campaign with an emphatic 5-2 victory over Auxerre on Saturday evening.

The right-back started the match and added Lens’ third goal in the 55th minute, rising to meet a cross inside the penalty area before directing a fine header into the net.

Abdulhamid’s finish capped another eye-catching performance since his move to French football and underlined his growing influence within the Lens side. He contributed at both ends of the pitch as his team dominated the contest and made an ideal start to the new league season.

Lens scored five times during a commanding display, while Auxerre managed only two goals against the home side. The result gave Lens an immediate statement victory as they opened their Ligue 1 campaign in impressive fashion.

The match came just days after Lens secured the French Super Cup by beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis last week. That triumph provided the club with a new trophy before the start of the league season and added to an increasingly positive period for the team.

Abdulhamid received a rating of 7.4 out of 10 for his performance against Auxerre. The score reflected his overall contribution, with the defender combining his defensive duties with purposeful attacking movements before finishing the move that produced Lens’ third goal.

The Saudi full-back has gradually established himself as an important member of the Lens team. His role in France is no longer viewed simply as an opportunity for an Arab player to gain experience in Europe; he has increasingly become a player capable of influencing matches and contributing directly to results.

His latest performance follows an important previous campaign in which he helped Lens finish second in Ligue 1. That achievement strengthened his reputation as one of the competition’s notable full-backs and created expectations for another significant season.

By scoring in the opening fixture, Abdulhamid has begun the new campaign with a strong personal statement. His progress has also given him a higher profile in French football, where he is developing beyond his status as a representative of Saudi football in Europe and establishing himself as a player worth watching in Ligue 1.

The goal was widely shared on social media, with footage showing Abdulhamid’s well-timed leap and composed header. His contribution helped ensure Lens ended the evening with five goals and three points, while Auxerre were left to begin the season with a heavy defeat.