Despite having already defied expectations with a 17th-placed finish in their debut Ligue 1 campaign of 2021/22, it was imperative for Clermont to keep pushing for a historic finish in top half of the league table.
In opposition was a Lens side winless in three matches and perhaps sensing that their title contention was always too good to be true.
In contrast to the first half’s later events, Clermont tasted the first opportunity of the game via Aiman Maurer’s composed shot, which was fantastically cleared off the goal line by Jonathan Gradit.
It was never going to be easy to carve through the top-flight’s best defence, and Lens forward Openda turned the tide in his side’s favour with a hat-trick for the ages out of almost nowhere.
In the blink of an eye, the Belgian striker first buried a finish from a tight angle into the bottom corner following a swift counterattack, before capitalising on a brace of defensive errors and slotting in one-on-one each time, to complete the fastest hat-trick in Ligue 1 since Matt Moussilou’s quadruple for Lille against Istres in April 2005.
Visibly dealt a morale blow, Clermont inevitably found it difficult to make any inroads into the visitors’ lead, as they struggled to stitch forward passes that would have a tangible effect.
Although it was something of an arbitrary move under the circumstances, Clermont coach Pascal Gastien made a late triple substitution in a bid to shake up his side’s approach, but to no avail.
Instead, it was Lens coach Franck Haise’s decision to bring on Alexis Claude-Maurice that changed the scoreline. Following a period of Clermont pressure, Lens hit their hosts in another blitz, with the Nice loanee laying on the final blow via a superb low drive.
Clermont’s dismal display means they still linger six points off the nearest top-half position, whereas Lens can continue dreaming of UEFA Champions League qualification just three years after regaining top-tier status.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lois Openda (RC Lens)