Sevilla, the defending Europa League champion, faced elimination from European competition after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Lens in their final Champions League group match on Tuesday.
Lens, seeking only a draw to secure third place in Group B, took the lead in the 63rd minute with a penalty from Polish winger Przemysław Frankowski. The penalty was awarded after Facundo Medina was fouled by Boubakary Soumaré. Substitute Angelo Fulgini secured a Europa League place for Lens by scoring six minutes into stoppage time.
Despite Lens being under pressure from seven-time Europa League winner Sevilla, goalkeeper Brice Samba made a brilliant one-handed save on a penalty conceded by Medina. Sergio Ramos, the veteran defender, converted the re-taken penalty with a superb Panenka-style shot under the crossbar in the 79th minute, sarcastically cupping his ear to the Lens fans who had jeered him.
In the dying moments of the game, with Sevilla pushing for a winner, Ramos missed a crucial opportunity before Fulgini sealed the victory for Lens by neatly guiding the ball into the bottom right corner.
Meanwhile, in another match, group winner Arsenal drew 1-1 against PSV Eindhoven, with both teams already securing a spot in the round of 16.
Notably, the decision to ban Sevilla’s fans, overturned by France’s Council of State, raised eyebrows, especially considering Lens faced no incidents when traveling to Spain for the corresponding fixture. Sevilla fans, with no history of violence, had booked flights and hotel rooms for the game.
