Lille vs Brann

Lille returned to European action at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy and managed to edge past a spirited Brann side 2-1 in a match that kept the crowd tense until the final whistle. The French side started cautiously, opting for patient possession play while probing for weaknesses in Brann’s compact defensive setup. The visitors from Norway looked disciplined and were content to soak up pressure, frustrating Lille’s midfield and forcing most of the first-half action into wide areas. Despite a few half-chances from Jonathan David and Edon Zhegrova, the game went into halftime scoreless with very little between the two teams.

After the break, the tempo rose sharply. Lille’s breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Hamza Igmane timed his run perfectly to receive a clever through-ball and slotted past Brann’s goalkeeper Mathias Dyngeland. The home supporters erupted, sensing momentum swinging their way. However, Brann answered almost immediately. Just five minutes later, Sævar Atli Magnússon climbed highest in the box to head home a pinpoint cross, silencing the stadium and reminding everyone that Brann had no intention of leaving empty-handed.

The equalizer gave Brann renewed confidence as they started pushing Lille back, creating a brief period where the French defense looked vulnerable. Brann’s midfield pressed higher, and Ole Didrik Blomberg’s surging runs caused problems down the right flank. Lille had to stay alert to avoid conceding a second, with goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier making a crucial low save to deny Magnus Warming from close range. The game became stretched, with both sides trading attacking sequences and looking for the decisive blow.

Manager Paulo Fonseca made a game-changing decision in the 75th minute by bringing on Olivier Giroud. The veteran striker made his impact felt just five minutes later when he rose above Fredrik Pallesen Knudsen to head home a floated cross from Angel Gomes, restoring Lille’s lead. The goal was classic Giroud — perfectly timed movement and an unstoppable finish — and it turned the match back in Lille’s favor when it seemed Brann might snatch a point.

In the closing stages, Brann threw numbers forward in search of a dramatic equalizer, but Lille’s backline held firm with Tiago Djaló making key clearances under pressure. Giroud nearly doubled the lead with a late volley that skimmed the post, but 2-1 was enough to secure a valuable win. After the match, Giroud praised Brann’s fight, saying Lille had to “dig deep and stay focused” to get the result. The victory gives Lille an early boost in their Europa League campaign, while Brann can take pride in a competitive performance that suggests they will trouble other teams in the group.

Watch and Download Lille vs Brann full match replay and highlights, At Thursday, September 25, 2025. The match played at Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, in Europa League, UEFA.

VfB Stuttgart vs Celta Vigo