Joel Asoro netted a first-half goal to seal a smash-and-grab 1-0 victory for Metz over a wasteful Lens in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Hosts Lens - looking for their first win this season -- played with great intensity throughout the match and set up camp in Metz's half in the opening spell, taking 13 shots in the first 35 minutes of the game.

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Goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja kept Metz in the match with a string of fine saves, before the visitors struck against the run of play in the 37th minute, as new signing Asoro stuck a foot out to divert a cross into the net.

A huge roar erupted at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in the 65th minute when Lens thought they had finally broken the deadlock after Elye Wahi found the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Florian Sotoca forced a 10th save of the evening from Oukidja with a low shot late into added time, but it was to be a day of frustration for the hosts.

Lens, who finished second in Ligue 1 last season, are second from bottom in the league standings, while Metz's win takes them up to sixth with eight points from five games.