Burak Yilmaz salvaged a draw for Lille against Metz

As the French league kicked off on Saturday, the defending champions faced Metz in their season opener. Lille who were expecting easy sailing had a tough time on the field facing a determined Metz on the other side. Lille had to save face in the end with Burak Yilmaz's injury-time equalizer as they secured a 3-3 draw on Sunday in Ligue 1. The French champion faced a tough time after Boubakar Kouyate was given a red card while Metz was leading with 3-1. Lille had opened strong with Sven Botman’s opener then it was an all Metz show with goals raining one after another by Matthieu Udol and a brace by Fabien Centonze.

Lille fought hard to force themselves back in the game and then a moment of relief came when Jonathan Ikone pulled one back in the 81st minute then Turkey striker Burak Yilmaz added one more in the sixth minute of stoppage time by forcing an OG.