Millwall secured a convincing 2-0 win against QPR at The Den, a result that propelled the Lions back into the second spot on the Sky Bet Championship ladder. After a disappointing spell of just one triumph in five league outings, the team responded with a blistering start that saw them dominate the London derby from the opening minutes.
The early breakthrough came in the third minute when a low cross from Femi Azeez was cleared only to land at the feet of French midfielder Derek Mazou‑Sacko. Mazou‑Sacko, arriving late into the box, unleashed a powerful strike from just outside the penalty area that beat QPR keeper Joe Walsh. It was the midfielder's inaugural goal for Millwall and it immediately eased the anxiety of supporters who had endured two successive home defeats.
Having taken the lead, Millwall continued to press. Within the next four minutes, Tristan Crama rose above the defence to head Casper De Norre's delivery, creating a clear opportunity to double the advantage, though the chance ultimately went unanswered. The Lions' relentless approach in the opening quarter set the tone for the rest of the first half.
The second goal arrived in the 17th minute. After regaining possession, Mazou‑Sacko quickly fed Camiel Neghli, who cut inside the defensive line and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner of the net.
The strike was a testament to Neghli's technical ability and further cemented Millwall's control of the match. Neghli almost added a third before the half‑hour mark.
He slipped past Jake Clarke‑Salter and found himself one‑on‑one with Walsh. His attempt clipped the cross‑bar, underscoring how close the Lions came to a comfortable cushion. QPR attempted to respond. Josh Coburn headed an Azeez cross, only to see Walsh tip it over.
Later, Zak Sturge struck the side netting, but the ball failed to find the back of the net. The half‑time whistle saw Millwall leading 2‑0 and sitting a point above Ipswich, who were preparing to host fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough. In the dressing room, QPR manager Julien Stephan made four substitutions at the break, hoping to inject fresh energy. The changes produced a moment of promise when substitute Rumarn Burrell headed wide from a Clarke‑Salter cross.
Additionally, Morocco international Ilias Chair, returning from a long‑term injury, took his first action of the season and fired a low effort from outside the box that drifted wide of the near post. The second half was less frenetic for Millwall, but they remained dangerous.
In the 76th minute, Coburn met another Azeez delivery inside the box, forcing Walsh into a desperate leg save that barely kept the scoreline intact. QPR's persistence finally yielded a shot on target in the 89th minute when Nikolas Madsen unleashed a 25‑yard effort, only to be denied by Millwall goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who had a largely uneventful but crucial afternoon. After the final whistle, Alex Neil praised his side's early intensity.
"We needed to start fast, get the fans behind us, be aggressive and pin them back," he said. "We've done that at home all season, and at this stage of the campaign it's not easy to win. Today we finally got the monkey off our back. I wish we had been three goals up at half‑time because we deserved it." Neil also highlighted a key moment in the second half: "Josh Coburn's effort just before the break was a great chance, and our keeper made a brilliant save.
Overall, we managed the game well and they never really threatened us." Stephan, reflecting on his team's performance, admitted a lack of intensity in the opening period: "We struggled from the start, and it wasn't surprising given how they began. Winning duels and getting second balls was crucial, but we couldn't find a way to compete in the first half. The four changes at half‑time improved things, but not enough to create momentum or a goal." He also noted the challenge of reintegrating players returning from injury: "We have several squad members back from long layoffs, and managing their minutes while staying competitive will be our biggest test for the remainder of the season." The win not only lifts Millwall back into the promotion race but also narrows the gap to the league leaders, keeping the club in contention for a coveted spot in the Premier League alongside Coventry.
With the season entering its decisive phase, both teams will look to build on the lessons learned from this encounter as they chase their respective ambitions. The match also featured promotional elements, including a free Super 6 competition with a £250,000 prize, encouraging fans to engage before the 3 pm Saturday deadline.