LILLE, FRANCE — Ethan Mbappe redeemed himself after his Champions League red card by scoring a late goal in Lille’s 2-0 win over Troyes on Sunday, a result that sent the northern club top of Ligue 1 on goal difference.
Mbappe, the younger brother of France and Real Madrid star Kylian, was sent off in Wednesday’s 3-2 home loss to Real Betis in Europe for elbowing an opponent. The 19-year-old put that incident behind him as he came off the bench against Troyes to seal victory in stoppage time, after the hosts had taken a first-half lead through Portuguese full-back Tiago Santos.
Mbappe celebrated his first goal since December in subdued fashion, apologising to supporters for his red card midweek. It was a strike that lifted Lille above Monaco and Rennes on goal difference at the top of the table, capping a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the teenager.
Lille have taken 10 points from a possible 12 under new coach Davide Ancelotti, the son of Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian has made an immediate impact since taking charge, instilling a sense of discipline and attacking verve that has propelled Lille to the summit of French football.
The match itself was a tense affair, with Troyes proving stubborn opponents. Lille dominated possession but struggled to break down a well-organised defence until Santos broke the deadlock in the 38th minute with a composed finish from the edge of the box. The visitors had chances of their own, particularly on the counter-attack, but lacked the cutting edge to trouble the Lille goalkeeper.
As the match wore on, Ancelotti turned to his bench for inspiration, and Mbappe provided exactly that. The young forward, who has been tipped for a bright future despite his recent disciplinary lapse, showed maturity beyond his years to latch onto a through ball and slot home in the 92nd minute, sending the Stade Pierre-Mauroy into raptures.
The result leaves Lille in a commanding position as they seek to challenge for the Ligue 1 title. Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, are seeking their first win of the league season as they head to unbeaten Brest later on Sunday. Luis Enrique’s side began their quest to win a third consecutive Champions League title by thrashing Slovan Bratislava 6-1 in midweek, but have collected just two points from their opening three matches in Ligue 1, leaving them playing catch-up in the domestic competition.
For Lille and their young coach, the victory is a statement of intent. Ancelotti’s side have shown they can compete with the best, and with Mbappe finding his form and the team playing with confidence, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the months ahead. The teenager’s late goal was a moment of personal redemption, and it may yet prove to be a defining moment in Lille’s season.
