In this Ligue 1 fixture, Lens emerged victorious over Nantes with a 3-1 win, demonstrating clinical attacking prowess coupled with defensive stability. Adrien Thomasson opened the scoring for Lens in the 36th minute, capitalizing on an early attacking opportunity. Deiver Machado extended the lead just minutes later in the 34th minute, thanks to an incisive assist from Facundo Medina. Nantes' Florent Mollet managed to pull one back in the 40th minute, assisted by Moses Simon – however, this proved insufficient to shift the game dynamics.

Lens showcased a superior offensive performance, reflected by their 6 shots on target compared to Nantes' 3, indicating a higher efficiency in converting attacking moves into genuine threats. Further, Lens managed 13 shots off target, highlighting their persistent offensive pressure throughout the match. Conversely, Nantes’ limited offensive endeavors were apparent through their 3 shots off target, indicating a struggle to penetrate Lens’ defensive line effectively.

In terms of set-pieces, Nantes registered 5 corner kicks compared to Lens' 2, highlighting an area of potential but unrealized advantage. Nonetheless, this did not translate to goals, showing that Lens’ defensive coordination in handling set-pieces was commendable. Offside counts were relatively low but indicated that Lens engaged in more forward thrusts that were sometimes overzealous, culminating in 3 offside calls against their name versus just 1 for Nantes.

Physical aspects of the game were evident in the foul count, with Nantes committing 15 fouls against Lens' 9. This higher foul count by Nantes disrupted the game's flow and possibly inhibited their own attacking rhythm. The discipline on both sides was well-maintained, with no red cards and a clean slate in yellow cards, indicating a fairly contested match without any major disciplinary breaches.

The decisive moment came in the second half when Charles Traore’s own goal in the 74th minute sealed the win for Lens. This unfortunate defensive error, combined with Lens’ effective pressing and teamwork, underscored Nantes' defensive vulnerabilities. The substitutions throughout the match did not significantly alter the momentum, as Lens maintained their organized structure and efficient play until the final whistle.

Overall, Lens’ ability to create and capitalize on scoring opportunities, coupled with a solid defensive display, clearly defined the match outcome. Statistically, their higher offensive output, lower foul count, and effective handling of set-pieces were critical in securing the victory.

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