As with many games around Europe, both sides paid a fitting tribute to the great Pelé before kick-off, after one of the sport’s greatest ever sadly passed away recently. The Brazilian was adored for bringing entertainment into the modern game, so he likely wouldn’t have been too impressed with the first half here, with chances at a premium. Karl Toko Ekambi looked to have been presented with a huge opportunity to break the deadlock early on, but the Cameroon international’s shot was wayward and comfortably missed the target.
Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes was the first to be properly tested, as he was forced into a fine reaction save to deny Elbasan Rashani’s powerful header. The hosts would soon take control of the play though, but they spurned several openings to score in a wasteful half of football. Les Gones’ best opening arrived on the stroke of HT when Rayan Cherki’s audacious flick played Saël Kumbedi in on goal, but Mory Diaw made a brilliant save to deny his effort at the near post.
There were similar struggles in store for Laurent Blanc’s men after the break, with the hosts desperately struggling to create chances. Once more, Lopes was the goalkeeper first called into action, with the Portuguese at full stretch to deny Komnen Andrić. Lyon’s desperation was perhaps best illustrated by Kumbedi, with the full-back receiving a yellow card for simulation after bursting into the area, with referee Stéphanie Frappart wise to his efforts to win a penalty.
A late sucker punch came Lyon’s way in decisive fashion. Grejohn Kyei’s cross was blocked by the arm of Castello Lukeba inside the area, with a penalty eventually awarded after a VAR review. Muhammed Cham stepped up and sent Lopes the wrong way to secure a historic result for the Ligue 1 strugglers.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Neto Borges (Clermont Foot)