**Lens Beat Nice with Lens' Openda and Fofana Scoring; Defensively Solid as Lens Secures Clean Sheet in Ligue 1 Round 22**

In a thrilling encounter in Ligue 1 Round 22, RC Lens delivered a strong performance to edge past Nice, securing a 2-0 victory. The match, played at Stade François Blouchet, saw Lens dominate from the get-go, with key contributions from their star forwards.

The opening goal came in the 15th minute when Openda, Lens' ace striker, capitalized on a defensive error by Nice. The 24-year-old striker, known for his clinical finishing, slotted home a low shot from inside the box, giving Lens the lead. Just five minutes later, Fofana, the dynamic midfielder, doubled the advantage with a well-timed strike from outside the penalty area. His effort flew into the top corner, leaving Nice's goalkeeper with no chance. This early two-goal cushion proved crucial as Lens maintained control throughout the match.

Defensively, Lens was rock-solid. The backline, led by the experienced central defender, Jonathan Claude, and young full-backs, excelled in nullifying Nice's attacking threats. Lens made 8 clearances and 5 interceptions, showcasing their organization and composure under pressure. The defensive stability allowed the midfield to dictate play, with Fofana and Gauthier Trueman pulling the strings in the middle.

Nice, despite their best efforts, struggled to break down Lens' defense. Their key players, like Gaëtan Laborde and Terem Moffi, had few clear chances, thanks to Lens' well-timed tackles and interceptions. The visitors' only real chance came in the 55th minute when Laborde fired a powerful shot that hit the crossbar. But Lens' goalkeeper, Hugo Marçal, was equal to it, making a crucial save to preserve his side's lead.

As the game progressed, Lens continued to dominate possession, using their midfield's numerical advantage to control the tempo. The defensive unit remained intact, repelling Nice's waves of attacks. The full-time whistle saw Lens celebrating a hard-fought victory, secured through clinical finishing and solid defense.

This win moves Lens to 7th place in Ligue 1, with their performance demonstrating their growing confidence under manager Franck Hantz. Next, they face Reims in the next match, and fans will be eager to see if Lens can maintain this momentum. For now, however, Lens will cherish this vital three points, knowing they were hard-earned and well-deserved.