Millwall secured a convincing 2-0 win against QPR at The Den, a result that propelled them back into second place in the Sky Bet Championship. After a disappointing spell in which they managed only one victory from five matches, the Lions entered the London derby with a sense of urgency and were rewarded with an early lead that set the tone for the entire encounter. The opening minutes were decisive. Within three minutes, a low cross from Femi Azeez was cleared only to land at the feet of French midfielder Derek Mazou‑Sacko.
Seizing the opportunity, Mazou‑Sacko surged forward and unleashed a powerful strike from just outside the penalty area, beating QPR keeper Joe Walsh and sending the home crowd into raptures. The goal marked Mazou‑Sacko’s first ever for Millwall and instantly eased the anxiety of supporters who had endured two consecutive home defeats. Millwall’s dominance continued unabated.
By the seventh minute, they were already threatening to double their advantage when Tristan Crama rose to meet a cross from Casper De Norre, directing a header over the goal line. Although the ball did not find the net, the chance underscored the Lions’ early control of the match.
The second goal arrived in the 17th minute. After winning a loose ball, Mazou‑Sacko quickly supplied Camiel Neghli, who cut inside and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner of the net. The strike was a testament to Neghli’s composure and technical ability, further extending the lead and leaving QPR with a steep hill to climb.
The Lions continued to press, and at the 24‑minute mark Neghli came close to a brace. He slipped past Jake Clarke‑Salter, found himself one‑on‑one with Walsh, and, in a moment of hesitation, chipped the ball over the keeper only for it to sail over the crossbar.
Shortly after, QPR’s Josh Coburn headed in from an Azeez cross, but Walsh managed to tip the ball onto the post, while Zak Sturge’s subsequent effort struck the side netting. The half‑time break saw QPR manager Julien Stephan make four substitutions in an attempt to revive his side’s fortunes.
The first change bore fruit when substitute Rumarn Burrell headed a Clarke‑Salter cross wide, creating the opening chance of the second half. Later, Morocco international Ilias Chair, returning from a long‑term injury, took his first minutes on the pitch since November and fired a low shot from outside the box that drifted just wide of the near post. Although Millwall’s attacking intensity dipped slightly after the break, they remained dangerous.
In the 76th minute, a promising move saw Coburn link up with Azeez inside the box, only for Walsh to make a reflex save with his legs, denying the Lions a third goal. QPR’s persistence paid off in the 89th minute when Nikolas Madsen unleashed a long‑range effort from 25 yards, only to be thwarted by Millwall’s keeper Anthony Patterson, who enjoyed a relatively quiet but effective afternoon. Post‑match, Millwall boss Alex Neil praised his team’s early aggression and the support of the fans.
"We needed to start fast, get the crowd behind us, be aggressive and pin them back. We achieved that, especially at home where it’s been a hallmark this season," he said. Neil expressed some disappointment that the lead never stretched beyond two goals, believing the side deserved a larger margin.
He highlighted Coburn’s near‑miss in the second half as a key moment that could have further solidified the win. QPR manager Julien Stephan, on the other hand, reflected on his side’s lack of intensity in the opening half. "We struggled from the kickoff and couldn’t match their energy.
The changes at half‑time improved things, but not enough to shift the momentum or find the net," he admitted. Stephan also noted the challenge of reintegrating players returning from long injuries and the need to manage their minutes as the season draws to a close. The victory not only lifted Millwall one point above Ipswich Town, who host promotion‑chasing Middlesbrough on Sunday, but also tightened the race for the coveted promotion spots that will see the top two teams join Coventry City in the Premier League next season.
With only a handful of games remaining, every point is crucial, and Millwall’s emphatic performance against a local rival will undoubtedly boost their confidence heading into the final stretch of the campaign. Off the pitch, fans were reminded that the £250,000 Super 6 prize pool remains up for grabs, with entries closing at 3 pm on Saturday. As the season approaches its climax, both clubs will be looking to fine‑tune their squads and tactics, aiming to secure the results needed to achieve their respective ambitions.