Franklin Tebo scored the only goal of the game to guide Crvena Zvezda to a surprise but hard-earned victory over LOSC Lille in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff tie.

The 26-year-old defender not only made headlines for his decisive strike but was also named Man of the Match at the final whistle, Footballrover reports.

Franklin Tebo Sparks Zvezda’s Europa League Advantage Over Lille

It was just his second goal of the season, and it arrived at a crucial moment — not only for the team, but for him personally.

Tebo had been left on the bench in two Super Liga matches and was limited to just 10 minutes of action in their previous outing before this Europa League clash.

The goal should provide a significant boost to his confidence moving forward.

It was a frustrating night in northern France for Lille, who slipped to another concerning defeat as a sharper and more physically imposing Red Star Belgrade side claimed a narrow yet deserved advantage.

Lille struggled to find rhythm in attack, managing just one shot on target and offering little threat going forward.

Lille Faces Daunting Return Leg After Tebo’s Decisive Goal

Red Star’s intensity eventually paid off, with Tebo forcing home a scrappy corner shortly after the restart.

The visitors created the better chances overall, though wasteful finishing prevented them from extending their lead.

Lille now face a daunting trip to Belgrade for the return leg and will need a marked improvement to keep their hopes alive.

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Last Updated on February 20, 2026 8:40 am by footballrover