Como inflicted a historic defeat on Racing Club de Lens, humiliating the French side 9-1 in a game in which Nico Paz confirmed his status as one of the world’s most exciting young talents. In one of the most emphatic victories in recent Champions League history, the Argentine spearheaded the Italian side’s masterclass, scoring a goal that he dedicated to Jesús de Miguel and providing two assists. Como overwhelmed a team that simply does not belong at Champions League level and had effectively thrown in the towel by halftime.

There was never even a hint of suspense because Cesc Fàbregas’ Como play at a relentless pace for all 90 minutes, leaving their opponents completely out of their element. The Champions League has proved a step too far for Lens. A lack of television revenue in France forced the club to sell its best players over the summer, leaving it with little room to assemble a competitive squad.

The gulf between the two teams was enormous. Como have a solid project in place, while Lens are in the middle of a rebuild. The Italians’ superiority was quickly reflected on the scoreboard. Douvikas, whom Fàbregas has transformed into one of Europe’s finest strikers, silenced the Stade Bollaert-Delelis by finishing off a set-piece move.

Nico Paz began to glide across the field. His talent is here to stay, and Lens had no idea how to contain him. After a brilliant cross-field pass from the Argentine, the omnipresent Douvikas struck again to double the lead. Paz still needed a goal to cap his outstanding first half, and he duly delivered with a precise, unstoppable finish that left Risser helpless. He dedicated it to the recently deceased Jesús de Miguel in a deeply emotional tribute.

The Nico Paz show was far from over. Barely had the second half begun when, to make matters worse for a Lens side that had long since raised the white flag, the Real Madrid academy product set up Da Cunha for Como’s fourth. The Italians sensed blood and showed no mercy. Kempf added a fifth, and before being substituted, Paz still found time to provide another assist as Douvikas completed his hat trick.

The rout was becoming historic. Como raced into a 7-0 lead at a stadium that, until recently, had been a fortress.Aguilar’s goal to make it 7-1 did nothing to curb the hunger and ferocity of the team Fàbregas has so carefully crafted. Baturina scored the eighth, helped by the red carpet Lens had effectively rolled out in their own penalty area. Then, in stoppage time, Papaccioli added a ninth. This was no ordinary thrashing. It was an outright massacre, one of the greatest collapses by a French club in European soccer history.

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