Did it deliver?
As a contest, it fell short of its billing, because Como had the game won by half-time. As a spectacle it delivered on goals, with ten in total, but the tension a top-tier fixture promises never materialised.
Como were ruthless in Lens, scoring from a corner inside seven minutes and never letting up. Douvikas finished from close range twice before the break, and Nico Paz's fast-break finish made it 3-0 at half-time. The second half was a procession: Da Cunha, Kempf, Douvikas again, Liberali, Baturina and a late Papaccioli goal all followed, with Paz supplying a through ball for two of them. Como had 12 shots on target to Lens's 3 and created 10 big chances to Lens's one, and their set-piece delivery, mainly from Luis Milla, repeatedly undid a shaky Lens defence. Ruben Aguilar's consolation at 65′ from a Thauvin corner was little comfort for the hosts, who lost goalkeeper Robin Risser to injury during the collapse. The result is a statement for Como and a heavy blow to Lens's European campaign.
Lens sit 26th with three points and two straight Champions League defeats, so they badly need a result at home. Como arrive in strong form, sixth in the sense of momentum rather than table: 11th with six points and chasing a first away win of the campaign. Injuries on both sides add to the intrigue.
Expected to lead Lens's attack with Édouard and Sima out, so the home side's goal threat rests largely on him.
Como's creative hub, expected to start in attack and capable of unlocking a stretched Lens defence.
Expected to lead the line with Kean unavailable, so he is Como's main focal point.
Experienced creator who can supply the spark Lens need to end their losing run.
Lens
Como
Como•AttackerVAR decision confirms the goal for Lens, making it 1-9 against Como, scored by Matteo Papaccioli.
Attempt missed. Yan Couto from Como takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box, but it goes too high after a fast break.
Thorgan Hazard from Lens misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it just a bit too high. The cross was assisted by Saud Abdulhamid.
There is a delay in the match in Como.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Yan Couto from Como attempts a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes close and misses the top right corner. He was assisted by Samuele Ricci.
Kyllian Antonio from Lens commits a foul.
Matteo Papaccioli from Como wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Michaël Cuisance from Lens commits a foul.
Mattia Liberali from Como is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Michaël Cuisance from Lens commits a foul.
Martin Baturina from Como wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Michaël CuisanceYellow CardMichaël Cuisance from Lens receives a yellow card for a foul.
Attempt blocked. Junior Kadile from Lens has a right-footed shot from the left side of the box that is blocked. He was assisted by Andrija Bulatovic.
Corner awarded to Lens after a concession by Samuele Ricci.
Corner awarded to Lens after a concession by Máximo Perrone.
Kyllian Antonio from Lens wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution for Como: Ivan Smolcic comes on for Marc Oliver Kempf.
Ruben Aguilar from Lens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Martin Baturina from Como commits a foul.
Foul committed by Mattia Liberali of Como.
Substitution for Lens: Andrija Bulatovic comes on for Amadou Haidara.
Substitution for Lens: Junior Kadile comes on for Florian Thauvin.
assist: Mattia Liberali
Goal! Como leads 8-1 against Lens. Martin Baturina scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Mattia Liberali.
assist: Florian Thauvin
Goal! Lens 1, Como 7. Ruben Aguilar scores for Lens with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Florian Thauvin's cross after a corner.
Corner awarded to Lens after a concession by Mattia Liberali.
Foul committed by Samuele Ricci of Como.
Mezian Mesloub from Lens is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Maxence Caqueret from Como commits a foul.
Thorgan Hazard from Lens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
assist: Jacobo Ramón
Goal! Como leads 7-0 against Lens. Mattia Liberali scores with a left-footed shot from the right side of the box into the bottom right corner, assisted by Jacobo Ramón.
Attempt blocked. Máximo Perrone's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Robin Risser from Lens.
Substitution for Como: Matteo Papaccioli comes on for Tasos Douvikas.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Attempt missed. Thorgan Hazard from Lens takes a right-footed shot from the center of the box but it goes high and wide to the left. Mezian Mesloub provided the assist.
Substitution for Como: Samuele Ricci comes on for Luis Milla.
Substitution for Como: Martin Baturina comes on for Nico Paz.
Substitution for Como: Mattia Liberali comes on for Lucas da Cunha.
assist: Nico Paz
Goal! Como leads 6-0 against Lens. Tasos Douvikas scores with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box into the bottom right corner, assisted by Nico Paz's through ball.
Nico Paz is caught offside for Como.
Matthieu Udol from Lens wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Yan Couto from Como.
assist: Luis Milla
Goal! Como lead 5-0 against Lens. Marc Oliver Kempf scores with a header from the center of the box into the bottom right corner, assisted by Luis Milla's cross after a corner.
Corner awarded to Como after Ruben Aguilar concedes.
Attempt saved. Lucas da Cunha from Como has his left-footed shot from the center of the box saved by Robin Risser in the center of the goal. The assist came from Tasos Douvikas.
Como wins a corner after Robin Risser concedes.
Michaël Cuisance from Lens commits a foul.
Máximo Perrone from Como is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Michaël Cuisance from Lens has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked.
Amadou Haidara from Lens attempts a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes too high.
Saud Abdulhamid from Lens wins a free kick on the right wing.
Maxence Caqueret from Como commits a foul.
assist: Nico Paz
Goal! Como leads 4-0 against Lens. Lucas da Cunha scores with a left-footed shot from the right side of the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Nico Paz's through ball.
Substitution for Lens: Mezian Mesloub comes on for Franjo Ivanovic.
Substitution for Lens: Saud Abdulhamid comes on for Michal Skóras.
The second half begins with Lens trailing Como 3-0.
Foul committed by Amadou Haidara of Lens.
The first half ends with Lens trailing 0-3 to Como.
Nico Paz from Como is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Maxence Caqueret from Como wins a free kick on the left wing.
Amadou Haidara from Lens commits a foul.
Nico Paz from Como wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Ruben Aguilar from Lens commits a foul.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 4 minutes of added time.
assist: Anastasios Douvikas
Goal! Como leads 3-0 against Lens. Nico Paz scores with a left-footed shot from the right side of the box into the high center of the goal, assisted by Tasos Douvikas after a fast break.
Thorgan Hazard from Lens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Nico Paz from Como commits a foul.
Nico Paz from Como misses a left-footed shot from the center of the box to the right, assisted by Luis Milla's cross after a corner.
Corner awarded to Como after a concession by Ruben Aguilar.
Samson Baidoo from Lens commits a foul.
Tasos Douvikas from Como wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Samson BaidooYellow CardSamson Baidoo from Lens receives a yellow card for a foul.
Kyllian Antonio from Lens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Nico Paz from Como commits a foul.
Franjo Ivanovic's left-footed shot from the center of the box is saved by Jean Butez in the center of the goal. The attempt was assisted by Thorgan Hazard with a through ball.
Thorgan Hazard from Lens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Lucas da Cunha of Como.
assist: Álex Valle Gómez
Goal! Como leads 2-0 against Lens. Tasos Douvikas scores with a right-footed shot from very close range into the bottom right corner, assisted by Álex Valle.
Attempt blocked. Lucas da Cunha from Como has a left-footed shot from the right side of the box that is blocked.
Michaël Cuisance from Lens wins a free kick on the right wing.
Maxence Caqueret commits a foul for Como.
Attempt saved. Nico Paz from Como has a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it's saved in the bottom right corner by Robin Risser of Lens. The assist came from Maxence Caqueret.
Como wins a corner after Robin Risser concedes.
Foul committed by Amadou Haidara of Lens.
Jacobo Ramón from Como is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Amadou Haidara from Lens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Nico Paz from Como commits a foul.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Franjo Ivanovic from Lens.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Marc Oliver Kempf from Como.
Matthieu Udol from Lens misses an attempt, heading the ball high and wide to the left from the right side of the six-yard box. The chance was created by Florian Thauvin's cross following a corner.
Marc Oliver Kempf from Como wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Franjo Ivanovic from Lens commits a foul.
VAR decision: No penalty awarded.
Corner awarded to Lens after Maxence Caqueret concedes.
Matthieu Udol from Lens misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it too high. He was assisted by Ruben Aguilar, who provided a cross after a corner.
Attempt missed. Thorgan Hazard from Lens heads the ball from the center of the box but it goes to the right. Ruben Aguilar provided the assist with a cross.
Corner awarded to Lens after a concession by Álex Valle.
Nico Paz from Como misses a header from the center of the box, sending it to the left. The chance was assisted by Luis Milla with a cross after a set piece situation.
Kyllian Antonio from Lens commits a foul.
Lucas da Cunha from Como is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
assist: Máximo Perrone
Goal! Como takes the lead 1-0 against Lens. Tasos Douvikas scores with a right-footed shot from very close range into the bottom right corner, assisted by Máximo Perrone after a corner.
Máximo Perrone from Como had a header attempt from the center of the box that was close but missed to the right. He was assisted by Luis Milla, who delivered a cross following a corner.
Corner awarded to Como after a foul by Samson Baidoo.
Attempt saved. Florian Thauvin from Lens has a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it's saved in the bottom right corner by Jean Butez from Como. The assist comes from Michaël Cuisance.
Florian Thauvin from Lens commits a foul.
Álex Valle from Como wins a free kick in the defensive half.
First half begins.
