The 1998-99 campaign delivered a memorable season for Lens as Les Sang et Or secured a respectable 6th-place finish in Division 1. The year was defined by cup glory, with the club clinching the Coupe de la Ligue, and their first-ever UEFA Champions League adventure, which included a famous 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Wembley. Leading the line in the league were the popular duo Pascal Nouma and Tony Vairelles, who each notched 8 goals. It was a defining chapter that solidified the club's new status in the French elite following their 1998 league title.