Lens Crushes Nice to Clinch French Cup Crown in Historic First for the Club
Lens won their first French Cup title, defeating Nice 3-1 in the May 22 final at Stade de France, ending a 27-year wait for a major trophy.
Lens concluded the 2025-26 season on a high note, decisively defeating Nice to secure the French Cup title for the first time in club history and capturing their first major trophy in 27 years.
The 2025-26 French Cup final took place on May 22 between Ligue 1 rivals Lens and Nice at the Stade de France. Lens proved the sharper side, scoring through Florian Thauvin in the 25th minute, Aurelien Tchouameni in the 42nd minute, and Abdullah Sima in the 78th minute. Nice's sole goal came from Khaled Goulibal in the 45+3rd minute, with Lens winning 3-1.
This French Cup triumph represents a watershed moment for Lens, marking their first-ever championship in this competition after previously managing only three runner-up finishes. The victory also marks the club's first major trophy in 27 years, dating back to their French League Cup triumph in 1998-99.
Meanwhile, since Lens had already secured a UEFA Champions League spot as Ligue 1 runners-up this season, the UEFA Europa League spot from this cup has transferred to sixth-placed Reims, while seventh-place finisher Monaco will compete in the UEFA Conference League.
