Olivier Giroud Scores on Lille Return at 39, but Brest Fight Back in 3-3 Thriller
Age is just a number for Olivier Giroud, who proved he’s far from finished after scoring on his competitive return for Lille at 39 years old. However, despite his early heroics, Lille were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw in a dramatic clash with Stade Brestois.
Back in Ligue 1 after a stint with LAFC in MLS, Giroud wasted no time making an impact, firing past Marco Bizot in the 11th minute to open the scoring. When Isak Hrafn Haraldsson doubled Lille’s lead midway through the first half, it looked like the summer departures of key players like Jonathan David and Lucas Chevalier hadn’t left a dent.
But Brest had other ideas. A quickfire brace from Lilian Brassier Doumbia turned the tide, drawing the visitors level before the break. In the second half, Yusuf Yazıcı's Lille briefly regained the lead through Alan Virginius Mukau, only for Julien Le Cardinal to slot home an equaliser, securing Brest a well-earned point.
Giroud wasn't just about the goal. The veteran striker recorded three shots on target and won an impressive 11 duels, showing he's still a physical and tactical threat up front.
2025-26, France - Ligue 1
Brest - Lille 3:3 (1:2)
Goals: Giroud, 11 (0:1); Haraldsson, 26 (0:2); Doumbia K., 34 (1:2); Doumbia K., 51 (2:2); Mukau, 66 (2:3); Le Cardinal, 75 (3:3)
Brest: Majecki; Locko B.; Chardonnet B.; Baldé M-a (Makalou, 90); Le Cardinal; Lala K.; Magnetti; Lees-Melou; Del Castillo; Doumbia K. (Zogbe, 96); Ajorque
Bench: Coudert; Diaz M. J.; Bourgault; Mbock; Camblan; Diop S.
Yellow Cards: Doumbia K. 18; Chardonnet B. 35
Lille: Özer; Ngoy N.; Alexsandro; Perraud (Burlet, 72); Touré O.; Mukau (Bouaddi, 85); Haraldsson (Bentaleb, 85); Andre B.; Correia; Broholm (Fernandez Pardo, 46); Giroud
Bench: Bodart; Cossier; Raghouber
Yellow Cards: Ngoy N. 16
