### Lille Beats Lens 2-1; Bentaleb Scores Sudden Death Win for Lens
In a thrilling encounter between two top French clubs, Lille and Lens, the match ended in a nail-biting 2-1 victory for Lille on Sunday evening at the Stade de Reims. The final whistle blew as both teams fought tooth and nail to secure their spot in the league standings, but it was Bentaleb's goal that sealed Lille's fate.
#### First Half: A Close Encounter
The opening period saw both sides exchanging chances. Lille goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made several impressive saves to keep his team ahead. Lens, however, had their moments too, with Antoine Griezmann scoring a close-range shot from just outside the box early in the second half.
#### Second Half: A Turning Point
As the match entered its final minutes, the pressure began to mount. Both teams were desperately searching for a winner. Lens, despite being behind, refused to give up. They pressed aggressively and eventually found themselves in a set piece.
#### Sudden Death: The Deciding Moment
With time running out, Lens took advantage of a corner kick. Bentaleb rose high above the defenders and expertly volleyed the ball past Lille's goalkeeper. This goal came just before the full-time whistle, sending the stadium into pandemonium.
#### Final Score: Lille 2-1 Lens
With Bentaleb's late equalizer, Lille secured their first league win since November 28th. The victory not only lifted Lille's spirits but also boosted their confidence in the coming matches. Meanwhile, Lens must now look forward to rebuilding after this setback.
#### Post-Match Analysis
Coach Romain Courtois praised his team's resilience throughout the match, particularly noting Bentaleb's performance. "Bentaleb is one of our most important players, and he showed why when he scored the winning goal," Courtois said.
On the other side, Lens coach Philippe Coutinho acknowledged the hard work and determination shown by his team. "We played well for most of the game, but we didn't execute our tactics effectively enough in the last few minutes," Coutinho explained.
### Conclusion
This match was a testament to the competitive nature of French football. Both teams demonstrated excellent attacking play and defensive solidity, but it was Lille's ability to overcome adversity that ultimately gave them the victory. As the season progresses, these performances will be crucial for both clubs' ambitions in the league.