French Roundup: Lens starts campaign with loss at Brest; Rennes and Monaco win

PARIS (AP) — After a powerful second-place end within the French league final season, Lens opened the brand new marketing campaign by shedding 3-2 at Brest after main 2-0 on Sunday.

The northern aspect was in command because of objectives from ahead Florian Sotoca and defender Deiver Machado, however Brest replied with a penalty from Romain Del Castillo simply earlier than halftime.

After defender Kenny Lala equalized within the 56th, Del Castillo scored with one other penalty within the 87th.

Lens completed just one level behind champion Paris Saint-Germain final season, however offered membership high scorer Lois Openda to German membership Leipzig and midfield captain Seko Fofana to Saudi Arabian membership Al-Nassr.

Elsewhere, striker Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice as Monaco gained 4-2 at Clermont and Danish defender Rasmus Nicolaisen grabbed a stoppage-time winner for Toulouse in a 2-1 win at Nantes.

Winger Ibrahim Salah got here off the bench to attain two late objectives as Rennes routed promoted Metz 5-1 at house. Forwards Arnaud Kalimuendo, Amine Gouiri and Jeremy Doku had all scored for Rennes, earlier than Salah changed Doku within the 84th.

Nigerian striker Akor Adams netted each objectives for Montpellier in a 2-2 house draw with promoted Le Havre, which equalized in stoppage time by way of winger Samuel Grandsir.

Strasbourg hosted Lyon later Sunday.

PSG drew 0-0 at house to Lorient on Saturday with Kylian Mbappe watching from the stands and Neymar additionally absent.

Neymar has reportedly agreed a two-year deal to affix Saudi Arabian membership Al-Hilal, whereas Mbappe has returned to coaching with the primary workforce following a switch standoff.