Nantes Drop to Ligue 2 Following Loss at Lens

Soares goal sends Canaries down, Boosts Lens  

Nantes’ 14-year stay in Ligue 1 ended as Mezian Soares’ late goal gave Lens a 1-0 win, confirming Les Canaris’ drop to Ligue 2.

Mezian Soares scored late as Lens beat Nantes 1-0, ending Nantes’ Ligue 1 run and keeping Lens in the Ligue 1 title race...

Nantes’ 14-season run in Ligue 1 ended after a 1-0 loss to title-chasing RC Lens sent Les Canaris down to Ligue 2 for the first time since 2012-13.

Needing a win to keep their slim survival chances alive, Nantes saw Lens create the clearer chances in a tight first-half contest.

Wesley Said went close to opening the scoring after eight minutes, controlling a cross-field ball, driving into the box and firing low, only for Anthony Lopes to make a sharp save at his near post. Moments later Abdallah Sima met a cross inside the area, but Nantes’ defense recovered in time to block his goal-bound shot.

Lens started brightly and almost scored again soon after when Rayan Fofana’s shot from inside the box was cleared off the line. Nantes had beaten Marseille the previous week to stay in the fight, and despite not managing a shot on target in the first half, they would have been relieved to still be level at the break.

Nantes had only won twice on the road at Stade de la Beaujoire all season, yet they matched the fight of a Lens side still in the title hunt.

The visitors almost went ahead 11 minutes into the second half when Johann Lepenant volleyed a chipped ball first time toward the bottom right corner, but Robin Risser reacted quickly to make a strong save. Nantes were looking more dangerous at that point, though their luck showed minutes later when Lens had two goals disallowed in quick succession.

Fin du match.

Malgré des occasions franches, nos Jaunes et Verts s'inclinent à Bollaert. Une défaite synonyme de relégation.

Le Football Club de Nantes évoluera en Ligue 2 la saison prochaine. pic.twitter.com/hJYDOl8ueb

— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) May 8, 2026

First, Said’s goal was ruled out for offside, and then Sima was penalized for handball after controlling the ball and finishing past Lopes.

Nantes’ relegation was confirmed 12 minutes from time when Lens finally made their pressure count. A long throw into the box fell to Mezian Soares, and the midfielder converted from close range to break the visitors’ resistance.

Lens is playing Champions League football next season! ✨ pic.twitter.com/5CNZ4fTq5O

— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 8, 2026

The win moves Lens to within three points of leaders Paris Saint-Germain, though they have played a game more. Nantes are now locked into 17th place and will return to Ligue 2, 4,732 days after winning promotion in May 2013.