Salomon Kalou salvaged a point for Lille as their first Ligue 1 game in their new stadium ended in a 1-1 draw against Nancy on Friday night.
Djamel Bakar opened the scoring for the visitors in the 35th minute but the lead lasted less than 10 minutes as Kalou was on hand to equalise just before the half-time interval.
Nancy’s Benjamin Moukandjo was sent off late but they held on to remain unbeaten in the league after their opening-round win over Brest.
Bakar had the honour of scoring the first goal at the new 50,000-seat Grand Stade Lille Metropole when he rounded Lille defender Rio Mavuba and struck a sublime curling shot that flew past keeper Mickael Landrea.
Kalou’s effort to level the scores was equally as good, however.
The former Chelsea player flew highest to meet an excellent cross from another signing, Marvin Martin, and saw his header find the back of the net – much to the delight of the home crowd.
Neither side could break the deadlock in the second half, as Nancy were forced to play the last 10 minutes a man down after Moukandjo was dismissed for a second yellow card.
Dimitri Payet received a free-kick late but his effort was off target as both teams settled for a draw.
