Como Secures Historic 9-1 Victory Over RC Lens in Champions League Clash
Como achieved a remarkable 9-1 victory against RC Lens in the Champions League, highlighted by a hat-trick from Tasos Douvikas and a debut goal from 18-year-old Matteo Papaccioli. The match took place following Como’s impressive home wins of 4-1 against RB Leipzig and Manchester United, though they previously faced defeat in their only away match against Feyenoord.
Despite missing key players such as Moise Kean and Trevoh Chalobah, Como entered the match with a strong momentum, having secured five consecutive wins in competitive fixtures. Conversely, RC Lens began their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 triumph over Slavia Prague but struggled in subsequent games, failing to score against Sporting CP and Club Brugge. The absence of key players like Odsonne Edouard and Abdallah Sima further complicated their performance.
The scoring opened in under eight minutes when Como’s Luis Milla delivered a corner that went to Maxi Perrone, whose attempt was nudged in by Douvikas from close range. An offside check showed that Franjo Ivanovic kept everyone onside, allowing Douvikas to score in all four of Como’s Champions League appearances this season.
RC Lens had their appeals for a penalty dismissed when Thorgen Hazard’s header struck Jacobo Ramon’s arm in a crowded situation. The referee initially awarded a penalty shortly after, but VAR intervened, determining that the ball had hit Maxence Caqueret’s chest instead, resulting in a corner.
Nico Paz offered an exciting moment with a shot that forced a challenging save from Lens goalkeeper Risser, who later fumbled under pressure from Paz. Como then extended their lead following a team effort starting from goalkeeper Jean Butez, involving several passes that culminated in Douvikas tapping in his second goal from an Alex Valle assist.
Before the half ended, Nico Paz scored Como’s third with a powerful left-footed shot into the roof of the net, assisted by Douvikas. In a show of solidarity, Paz raised a message for Jesus de Miguel, who tragically died earlier in the week due to an on-field accident.
The onslaught continued right after the break, with Lucas Da Cunha making a quick two-man play with Paz before placing a left-footed finish low into the corner. Da Cunha almost added another shortly after, but Como eventually made it 5-0 with a header from Marc-Oliver Kempf, who connected well with a cross from Luis Milla.
Douvikas wasn’t done yet; he secured his hat-trick as he combined with Paz to evade the goalkeeper and neatly place the ball into the net. Como continued to pile on the pressure, and after a series of promising moves, Mattia Liberali slotted home the sixth goal for Como.
Lens responded with a goal as Ruben Aguilar capitalized on a corner for a volley, but Como quickly reclaimed a comfortable lead when Martin Baturina netted with a slaloming run through the defense.
In stoppage time, Papaccioli made an impression by scoring after being played in by Liberali. Initially flagged offside, the goal was confirmed following a VAR check, rounding off a historic night for Como.
The match concluded with the final score of Como 9, RC Lens 1.
