Saud Abdulhamid keeps catching the eye in France. The Saudi full-back was on target as Lens thrashed visitors Auxerre 5-2 on Saturday evening, with both sides kicking off their new French league campaign.
Handed a start, Abdulhamid left his mark on 55 minutes. He rose to meet a cross inside the box and glanced a superb header into the net for Lens's third, another sign of how far he has come since arriving in French football.
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His goal capped a fine night for a Lens side who dominated throughout. Five goals for the hosts, two for Auxerre, and the perfect way to start the season.
Lens are riding an extraordinary wave. The win came just days after they lifted the French Super Cup, beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium last week to add fresh silverware before the league even began.
Saud proves himself among France's most prominent full-backs
Rated 7.4 out of 10 against Auxerre, Abdulhamid delivered across the pitch. He defended well and threatened going forward, crowning the display with a wonderful goal.
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Over recent months, the Saudi defender has become a key figure in the Lens line-up. He has established himself in the French league, and his presence is no longer just a professional experiment for an Arab player. He can change games and shape results.
That strong start follows the important role he played in Lens finishing runners-up in the French league last season. He continues to cement his standing among the division's finest full-backs, opening the new campaign with a clear message. Abdulhamid is no longer merely a Saudi representative in Europe. He is one of the names to watch in France.