00:09Welcome to today's match between Angers and Lille at the Raymond Copa Stadium.
00:12This Sunday evening's League One clash sees the visitors aiming to strengthen their hold on a Europa League qualification spot.
00:19The hosts still have European ambitions too, knowing a win would close the gap to Les Dogues to just two
00:23points.
00:24Angers sit 11th in League One with 29 points following 8 wins, 5 draws, and 9 defeats.
00:30However, they are only 5 points off Lille.
00:33Les Squastes will be confident after winning their last two home games.
00:36However, the hosts must overcome their recent record against Lille, having lost their last three fixtures to their opponents.
00:43If Angers suffered defeat and failed to score, it would mean four consecutive top-flight losses to the same opponent
00:48without scoring for only the second time in club history.
00:51Lille occupy 5th place with 34 points from 10 wins, 4 draws, and 8 defeats.
00:56However, there is concern about their recent form as they have failed to win any of their last six League
01:01One matches and come into this game
01:02after a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Curvina Zvezda in the Europa League.
01:19The first half began with both teams probing for an opening.
01:23Lille created several early chances, with Felix Correa seeing a shot blocked, and then another missed the target from close
01:30range following a Gaten Perrin assist in the sixth minute.
01:34Matias Fernandes Pardo also had an effort saved by Hervé Coffey.
01:39The game became more physical as the half progressed, resulting in yellow cards for Ajé Branco van den Boumen and
01:46Yassin Belkdom for fouls, as well as Lille's Nathan Noé.
01:51Deep into first-half stoppage time, the decisive moment arrived.
01:55Thiago Santos was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area by Jordan Laforte, prompting a VAR review, which
02:03upheld the referee's decision to award a penalty.
02:06Olivier Giroud stepped up and converted the spot kick with a left-footed shot, giving Lille a 1-0 lead
02:12at the break.
02:13The second half saw Angers push for an equaliser.
02:16Gatouin Koyalepo forced a save from Berk Azair with a header from a cross by Amine Spai.
02:23Lille remained dangerous on the counter, and Olivier Giroud had a powerful header brilliantly saved by Coffey.
02:30The visitors continued to threaten from set pieces, with Isamandi heading just wide from a corner.
02:36As the game wore on, both sides made substitutions to try and influence the outcome, but clear-cut chances became
02:44scarce.
02:44Lille managed the game effectively in the closing stages, securing a valuable away victory.
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