Lens clinch historic Coupe de France triumph with hard-fought win against Nice to conclude remarkable season

Both sides showed nerves in their quest for glory during the opening exchanges before the match truly came alive around the 15 minute mark.

The hosts nearly opened the scoring in spectacular fashion when Allan Saint-Maximin's powerful strike from the edge of the area sailed narrowly over, while Elye Wahi failed to convert from point-blank range for Nice shortly after.

As play continued, Saint-Maximin found himself one-on-one after rounding the keeper but saw his eventual shot miraculously cleared off the line by a desperate defensive block.

Nice's custodian Robin Risser then produced two outstanding saves in rapid succession to thwart attempts from Sofiane Diop and veteran defender Dante.

The breakthrough arrived after 25 minutes through Florian Thauvin's clinical left-footed finish, expertly finding the net from 15 yards following Matthieu Udol's intelligent cutback into the danger area.

Thauvin's 14th goal of the campaign sent Lens supporters into raptures, dreaming of capping their memorable season with tangible success.

The advantage doubled at a crucial juncture when Thauvin's pinpoint corner was met by Odsonne Édouard, whose glancing header took a slight deflection before beating Maxime Dupé.

Nice responded in added time before the interval through Djibril Coulibaly's magnificent header from Jonathan Clauss's delivery, setting up a tantalising second period.

The visitors pressed energetically after the restart and came within inches of equalising when Antoine Mendy's towering header cannoned off the crossbar midway through the half.

Despite sustained pressure, Lens showed their class by restoring the two-goal margin late on through Abdallah Sima's clever dinked finish that trickled over the line beyond the advancing Dupé.

Credit to Nice who struck the woodwork again late through substitute Kevin Carlos's headed effort that rebounded off the upright, but Pierre Sage's men held firm to secure their place in history.

This triumph marks the perfect culmination to Lens's outstanding campaign while Nice must quickly regroup for their crucial Ligue 1 survival bid, beginning with Tuesday's play-off first leg against Saint-Étienne.