Millwall delivered a commanding performance at The Den, securing a 2-0 victory over QPR that propelled them back into second place in the Sky Bet Championship. After a string of mixed results that saw them win only one of their previous five matches, the Lions entered the London derby with a sense of urgency, and they rewarded that determination with an early lead that never wavered.
The opening moments set the tone. Within three minutes, a low cross from Femi Azeez was cleared only to find Derek Mazou‑Sacko, who had reacted quickest to the loose ball. The French midfielder surged forward and, from just outside the penalty area, struck a clean, powerful shot that slipped past QPR custodian Joe Walsh. It was Mazou‑Sacko’s inaugural goal for Millwall, a moment that instantly eased the anxiety of supporters who had endured two consecutive home defeats.
Millwall’s dominance continued unabated. By the seventh minute, Tristan Crama rose to meet a delivery from Casper De Norre, heading the ball towards goal and creating a near‑certain second‑goal opportunity. Though the chance was not converted, the early pressure signalled that the home side intended to dictate the tempo from the first whistle.
The Lions’ second goal arrived in the 17th minute. After winning the ball in midfield, Mazou‑Sacko quickly supplied Camiel Neghli, who cut inside and unleashed a beautifully curved strike that found the far corner of the net.
The goal was a testament to Neghli’s composure and technical ability, further extending Millwall’s lead and putting the visitors on the back foot. Neghli almost doubled his tally just seven minutes later. He broke free of Jake Clarke‑Salter’s defence, found space inside the box and, with a delicate touch, lifted the ball over Walsh. Unfortunately for the Lions, the effort sailed over the cross‑bar, missing what would have been a comfortable 3‑0 lead.
QPR struggled to find any foothold in the first half. Their best chance came when Josh Coburn headed in a cross from Azeez, only for Walsh to tip the ball onto the post.
Later, Zak Sturge managed a shot that rattled the side netting but failed to beat the keeper. The visitors’ manager, Julien Stephan, responded at halftime with four substitutions, hoping fresh legs would inject the missing intensity.
The second half began with QPR making a brief foray into the attack. Rumarn Burrell, one of the halftime entrants, rose to meet a cross from Clarke‑Salter but headed wide.
Meanwhile, Morocco international Ilias Chair, returning from a long injury layoff, tried to make an impact with a low drive from outside the area that drifted wide of the near post. Millwall’s attacking impetus slowed somewhat after the break, but they remained dangerous. In the 76th minute, Coburn found himself in a promising position after receiving a pass from Azeez. He struck the ball, and Walsh managed a desperate leg‑save to keep the scoreline at 2‑0.
The moment highlighted the resilience of the QPR goalkeeper, even as his side continued to be out‑spent. It was not until the 89th minute that QPR managed a shot on target.
Nikolas Madsen unleashed a long‑range effort from 25 yards, but Millwall’s goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who had enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon, made a comfortable save to preserve the clean sheet. After the final whistle, Alex Neil praised his side’s early aggression. He explained that the plan was to start quickly, win the fans over, and apply sustained pressure. Neil felt the team executed that blueprint perfectly, especially at home where they have been formidable all season.
He expressed disappointment that the margin was not larger, believing the Lions deserved a more comfortable cushion. Stephan, on the other hand, reflected on his team’s lack of intensity in the opening half. He admitted that the Lions’ early dominance was expected given Millwall’s preparation and that QPR’s attempts to win duels and claim second balls fell short.
Although the second‑half changes improved the rhythm slightly, Stephan acknowledged that the alterations were insufficient to shift the balance of power or produce a decisive goal. The win lifts Millwall one point above Ipswich Town, who host promotion‑chasing Middlesbrough later on Sunday. With the race for a Premier League promotion spot tightening, every three points becomes crucial as clubs vie to join Coventry City, who have already secured their ascent.
Beyond the immediate result, the match showcased several emerging talents. Mazou‑Sacko’s debut goal and Neghli’s composure under pressure suggest a bright future for the Lions’ midfield. Meanwhile, QPR will look to regroup, manage returning players’ workloads, and find a way to recapture the intensity that has been missing in recent fixtures. Overall, Millwall’s decisive start, clinical finishing, and disciplined defensive work ensured they walked away with three points, reinforcing their position near the top of the table and keeping their promotion ambitions firmly alive.