Hein's Heroics Turn to Heartbreak at Stade Saint-Symphorien

Sehr unterhaltsam Futmetrix-Wertung: 77/100. Metz snatched a vital 2-0 victory over Lens at Stade Saint-Symphorien, but Gauthier Hein's late dismissal transforms triumph into a pyrrhic win that could define their survival battle.

Hein's Explosive 87-90 Minute Masterclass

For 87 minutes, Metz laboured at Stade Saint-Symphorien, a team drowning at 18th place with just 5 points from 10 matches. Then Gauthier Hein erupted. A coolly converted penalty at 87 minutes shattered the deadlock. Three minutes later, with I. Sane's assist from the bench, Hein struck again—a finish that seemed to seal a miraculous escape. The intensity at Stade Saint-Symphorien peaked as Metz's travelling support roared their salvation into existence.

The Cruel Twist: Glory Becomes Infamy

But football punishes excess. At 90+2, as Hein wheeled away celebrating his brace, the referee's hand reached for red. The hero became the villain. Lens, despite controlling 54% possession, never found their rhythm. Robin Risser's four saves proved insufficient against Metz's late balance shift. Koffi Kouao orchestrated a defensive wall that turned Stade Saint-Symphorien into a fortress, limiting Lens to just 10 shots.

The Data Reveals a Lopsided Contest

Metz dominated the stakes with 16 shots (7 on target, 3.42 xG), whilst Lens managed only 10 attempts (2 on target, 1.32 xG). It's the story of desperation meeting precision—and then self-destruction. For Metz, this win breaks a devastating run and offers survival hope. For Lens, sitting 6th with 19 points, it's a missed chance to cement their elite positioning. The red card will haunt Metz far longer than the scoreline will satisfy them.