PLAYER RATINGS | Toulouse 0-1 Lille: Ayase Ueda and Berke Özer star in Lille’s smash-and-grab victory

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Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 3, 03/09/2026

Lille OSC came away with all three points against Toulouse FC in a game they really should have taken nothing from. Les Dogues were in debt to Berke Özer’s heroics in goal and Ayase Ueda’s debut off the bench. (1-0)

The Match

From the first whistle, there was a hunger about this young Toulouse side. They’ve yet to taste victory under summer appointment Jens Berthel Askou, and it felt like as if they had decided that they couldn’t let that continue. In the third minute, Cristian Cásseres Jr. rattled the crossbar from distance to set the tempo of the half.

Ethan Mbappé was provided a huge chance a few minutes later to give Lille the lead, following a mix-up at the back from the hosts, but there was no power behind his shot. What threatened to be an end-to-end game instead became one-way traffic, as Toulouse streamed forward.

Berke Özer, often criticised and with his position somewhat less secure following the arrival of Paraguay international Orlando Gill, put in a performance to remind those of his qualities. He was in a running duel with Santiago Hidalgo and Jacen Russell-Rowe, denying them in ever more intricate ways.

Hidalgo was lucky at the start of the second half to escape without a second booking after he did a blatant dive in the box. The themes of the first half continued, with Toulouse’s high press and counterpressing suffocating Lille and keeping them largely contained. However, the same goalmouth action was lacking at the start.

In the 70th minute, Guillaume Restes would have to be taken off on his 100th Ligue 1 appearance. His replacement, Mathys Niflore, would be making his debut for the club, and would soon be picking the ball out of his net as another debutant, Ayase Ueda, reacted fastest to the loose ball.

Toulouse should have answered immediately when Thomas Jørgensen fed Casper Tengstedt through on goal. Tengstedt chipped Özer, but watched as his shot carried on rising to go over the empty net. It was the story of Toulouse’s night as they did everything but score.

Lille Player Ratings

Berke Özer, 9

What a performance from the Turkish international. This was a game that Lille would have lost if not for his shot-stopping abilities. Lille should be very grateful for him that they’re walking away with all three points.

Calvin Verdonk, 4

Replaced by Romain Perraud (5) at halftime.

Alexsandro, 5

Nathan Ngoy, 5

Tiago Santos, 4

Benjamin André, 5

Nabil Bentaleb, 4

Replaced by Basar Önal in the second half.

Osame Sahraoui, 3

Replaced by Dilane Bakwa (5) at halftime.

Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, 4

Ethan Mbappé, 4

A quiet one for a player who looks to be loving life under new management. There were a couple of moments that showed the player we’ve seen in the past two games, but they were too few and far between. Replaced by Ngal’ayel Mukau in the second half.

Olivier Giroud, 3

A game that demonstrated the limitations of the Frenchman. He offered very little when he was on the pitch, both in and out of possession. Replaced by Ayase Ueda in the second half.

Selected Toulouse Player Ratings

Santiago Hidalgo, 6

The star of the first half for Toulouse. He’ll be shocked that he came away from this game without having scored. His early yellow meant that he was always going to be on borrowed time, and it was clear that a change was coming when he risked a sending-off by diving at the start of the second half. Replaced in the second half by compatriot Julián Vignolo.

Thomas Jørgensen, 6

The attacking midfielder looks an exceptional talent. He sees space that few others do. Once it begins to click, it feels as if he’s going to be a very special player.

Jacen Russell-Rowe, 5

GFFN | Nick Hartland