Chuba Akpom bags penalty for Lille in 2-1 win against Reims

Lille secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Stade de Reims at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in France.

The result cemented their 5th-place finish in Ligue 1 and ensured qualification for the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League.

The match their last of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 campaign, saw Rémy Cabella and Chuba Akpom emerge as the heroes.

Lille started the game with intent, dominating possession and creating several early chances.

Their persistence paid off in the 37th minute when Rémy Cabella put Lille in front.

The goal gave Lille a deserved lead, and they looked set to control the game heading into the break.

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In the 60th minute, Sergio Akieme equalized for Reims, latching onto a precise cross to fire home and stun the home crowd, bringing the score to 1-1.

Lille manager Bruno Genesio made a tactical change, bringing on Chuba Akpom in the 72nd minute to replace Jonathan David, who was playing his final game for the club before an expected summer departure.

Akpom, on loan from Ajax, injected fresh energy into Lille’s attack, and his presence proved decisive.

In the 86th minute, Lille were awarded a penalty after a Reims defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

Akpom stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick, scoring what turned out to be the winning goal—his third in 14 Ligue 1 appearances this season.