Lille stun holders Real Madrid as David penalty earns French side famous win

Jonathan David’s first-half penalty earned Lille a stunning victory over defending European champions Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

David’s spot-kick came right at the end of a pulsating first half after Eduardo Camavinga was adjudged to have illegally halted a free-kick with his hands by VAR.

But it was the least that the home side deserved from a thrilling opening 45 in which they could easily have taken the lead earlier, most notably when David was denied from close-range by Andriy Lunin.

Chances continued to come at both ends in a topsy-turvy second half, during which the visitors turned to their bench for the star quality of Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric, among others.

But Lille held firm, twice clearing off the line and saved on a number of occasions by the outstanding Lucas Chevalier between the sticks, to hold on for a famous 1-0 win at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

This was no smash-and-grab, as Lille played their game against the defending champions and came out on top.

They played the ball well through midfield, kept numbers forward throughout, and allowed Real Madrid’s rapid front line space to work in… and it worked.

This won’t be the first upset of the season for Lille you’d wager. They’ve got real quality all over the park.

There were a number of superb performances from outfield players, but it was Chevalier who impressed the most on the night in the Lille goal.

He was always going to be tested by a Real Madrid side who aren’t used to being shut out, but proved more than up to the challenge, delivering a string of brilliant saves, particularly late on when the pressure was at its most intense.

No wonder that Chevalier’s tipped to be France number one down the line.

Lille: Chevalier 9, Bakker 8, Alexsandro 8, Diakite 8, Santos 8, Andre 7, Bouaddi 7, Gudmundsson 7, Cabella 7, Zhegrova 9, David 8. Subs: Sahraoui 7, Meunier 7

Real Madrid: Lunin 7, Mendy 5, Militao 6, Rudiger 6, Carvajal 6, Bellingham 4, Tchouameni 6, Camavinga 4, Valverde 8, Endrick 6, Vinicius Jr 7. Subs: Garcia 6, Mbappe 5, Modric 8, Guler 5

Lille can’t believe it as Zhegrova’s free-kick seems to strike a hand in the box, but nothing is given initially. VAR is looking at it though and does indeed intervene, with the penalty given. Camavinga seemed to raise his arms to halt that on-target effort, and the officials agree that it’s enough. David will take the spot kick…

45’ – GOAL! LILLE 1-0 REAL MADRID (DAVID)

Lille have the lead as Jonathan David slots home a cool penalty. It was a wonderfully composed strike and may well have beaten the keeper even if he hadn’t been sent the wrong way. The celebrations are intense and the floor shakes in Lille. That’s set this game alight and then some!