LOSC Lille 2-1 Brann Player Ratings: Matías Fernández-Pardo 8.5/10 Rated as Giroud's Late Header Secures Victory 2-1

LOSC Lille scraped a narrow 2-1 victory over a resilient Brann side at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. The match was a true game of two halves. The first period ended goalless, a tactical chess match with few clear-cut opportunities, though Brann will rue Noah Holm hitting the post.

The game exploded into life after the break. LOSC Lille broke the deadlock through a sharp finish from Hamza Igamane. However, their lead was short-lived as Sævar Atli Magnússon fired back for Brann just five minutes later, leveling the scores with a clinical strike.

From our perspective, the turning point was the introduction of the substitutes. The decisive moment came late on, as super-sub Olivier Giroud rose highest to head home from a corner, snatching all three points for the home side. It was a dramatic conclusion to a match that could have gone either way, with both sides showing flashes of quality and fight. Here are the LOSC Lille vs Brann player ratings.

LOSC Lille Player Ratings vs Brann

Here are the LOSC Lille player ratings vs Brann.

Goalkeeper

Berke Özer - 6.5: We thought Özer had a relatively quiet evening until the dying moments. He was called into action late and made two crucial saves to preserve the win. He couldn't do much about the goal he conceded. A solid if unspectacular performance between the sticks.

Defenders

Chancel Mbemba - 7.5: What a rock at the back. Mbemba was immense, winning an incredible 10 out of 10 duels. From our perspective, he was a commanding presence who read the game beautifully and made crucial interventions. His last-man tackles were a highlight, showing his experience and composure under pressure.

Maxima Goffi - 6.5: A steady performance from Goffi alongside Mbemba. He was neat and tidy in possession, boasting a 91% pass accuracy. He wasn't tested too often but did his job effectively without any fuss. A reliable, if quiet, display.

Tiago Santos - 7.0: A truly mixed bag of a performance. What stood out to us was his attacking contribution, providing the pinpoint cross for Giroud's winning goal. However, he was also frustratingly wasteful in possession, losing the ball 25 times. His end product won the game, which bumps up his rating significantly.

Calvin Verdonk - 7.0: A very composed and solid outing for the left-back. He was strong in the tackle, winning most of his duels, and used the ball intelligently. He made several important interceptions and looked comfortable all night. A dependable and impressive defensive showing.

Midfielders

Nabil Bentaleb - 7.0: He was the metronome in Lille's midfield before his substitution. Bentaleb dictated the tempo, created three chances, and kept the play moving. His influence was clear, and the game felt a bit more chaotic after he left the pitch. A quality display.

Hákon Arnar Haraldsson - 6.5: The captain put in a diligent shift. He was tidy with his passing, keeping an 88% accuracy rate, but we felt he lacked a bit of creative spark. He worked hard for the team but didn't provide that killer pass or moment of magic. A solid, workmanlike performance.

Osame Sahraoui - 7.0: Sahraoui was a livewire during his time on the pitch. He was always looking to take players on and created four chances for his teammates. He forced a brilliant save from the Brann keeper and was a constant nuisance. A very positive and dangerous performance.

Ngal'ayel Mukau - 6.5: An energetic and combative display from Mukau. He recovered the ball an impressive nine times, disrupting Brann's rhythm in midfield. He was a bit clumsy at times, earning a yellow card, but his engine was vital for the team's structure.

Forwards

Matías Fernández-Pardo - 8.5: Our man of the match, without a doubt. He was simply outstanding. He provided the assist for the opening goal, created three chances, and was desperately unlucky to see his own powerful shot cannon off the post. Every time he got the ball, he looked like making something happen. A thrilling performance full of skill and intent.

Hamza Igamane - 7.5: He led the line well and took his goal with the instinct of a true poacher. His work rate was impressive, constantly pressing the Brann defense. He was a handful throughout his time on the field, justifying his starting spot with a crucial goal.

Substitutes

Olivier Giroud - 8.0: The perfect impact substitute. He came on and did exactly what he was brought on to do. He provided a focal point for the attack and scored the winning goal with a classic, powerful header. His brief cameo was the difference-maker.

Félix Correia - 6.0: Replaced the lively Sahraoui but couldn't quite match his impact. Had a few touches but didn't influence the game significantly.

Ayyoub Bouaddi - N/A: Came on late and helped see the game out.

Soriba Diaoune - N/A: Not on long enough to receive a rating.

Aïssa Mandi - N/A: A late defensive change to secure the win.

Manager

B. Génésio - 7.5: His game management was spot on. Recognizing the need for a different kind of threat, his decision to bring on Olivier Giroud proved to be a masterstroke that won his team the match. He gets full credit for a game-winning substitution.

Brann Player Ratings vs LOSC Lille

Here are Brann player ratings vs LOSC Lille.

Goalkeeper

Mathias Dyngeland - 6.0: He made a couple of decent saves, including a fine stop to deny Sahraoui. There was little he could do about either of Lille's goals. A standard performance where he wasn't really at fault for the loss.

Defenders

Fredrik Pallesen Knudsen - 6.5: The captain led a busy defense and made an impressive seven clearances. He was solid for the most part but will be disappointed to have missed a good headed chance in the first half. A battling performance against a top attack.

V. Dragsnes - 6.0: It was a tough night for the defender. He struggled to contain Lille's dynamic wingers at times. He won most of his duels but found it difficult to impose himself on the game. An okay, but difficult, evening.

Thore Pedersen - 6.0: Only played the first half before being substituted. He was decent enough, making a few tackles and interceptions. He didn't do much wrong but also didn't stand out before his withdrawal.

Eivind Helland - 7.0: From our perspective, Helland was Brann's best defender. He was strong in the air and composed on the ball, with a 91% pass completion rate. He made some key blocks and clearances, looking comfortable against a talented forward line.

Midfielders

Felix Horn Myhre - 6.0: A quiet game from Myhre in the middle of the park. He kept possession ticking over but failed to provide much of a creative spark. He worked hard off the ball but was largely anonymous in an attacking sense.

Emil Kornvig - 7.5: He was Brann's most dangerous player. He was unlucky to hit the woodwork and constantly looked to create opportunities for his teammates. He was a real threat with his movement and passing, causing Lille problems all evening. A very impressive display.

Jacob Lungi Sørensen - 6.0: A physical and combative performance in midfield. He put himself about and won a good number of his duels. However, he was a bit careless in possession, which let him down. A mixed performance.

Forwards

Niklas Castro - 6.0: He looked lively in the first half but his final ball was lacking. He was booked for a clumsy foul and was substituted early in the second half. A willing runner but offered little end product.

Sævar Atli Magnússon - 7.5: He took his goal superbly, a powerful and accurate finish to draw his side level. He was a constant threat with his runs in behind before being surprisingly substituted. He can be very proud of his contribution.

Noah Holm - 7.0: He was desperately unlucky not to score, striking the post in the first half. He then turned provider with a clever through ball for Magnússon's goal. A very effective performance, even without getting on the scoresheet himself.

Substitutes

Denzel De Roeve - 6.0: Came on at halftime but struggled to make a significant impact.

Eggert Gudmundsson - 6.0: Brought some energy but couldn't find a breakthrough.

Ulrik Mathisen - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Mads Sande - N/A: Had a late shot saved but didn't have much time.

Bård Finne - N/A: Forced a good save from Özer in stoppage time.

Manager

F. Alexandersson - 6.5: He set his team up to be competitive, and they certainly were. Brann fought hard and were arguably unlucky not to get a point from the game. His substitutions didn't quite have the desired effect, but his side put up a great fight against a stronger opponent.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Matias Fernandez-Pardo