LYON, France — In a frantic second-half turnaround, Olympique Lyonnais held their nerve to defeat Crystal Palace 3-2 in the Europa League on Thursday, maintaining their flawless start to Group Stage campaign.
Lyon withstands Palace’s fury to preserve perfect Europa League record
Playing under the watchful gaze of their former coach Pierre Sage, Lyon took an early lead but twice saw their advantage erased by Premier League outfit Crystal Palace. Yet the French side displayed championship resilience to secure a vital three points at the Groupama Stadium.
Corentin Tolisso opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a first-time half-volley that beat Walter Benítez, putting Lyon ahead. Ernest Nuamah doubled the advantage just before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to fire home from the edge of the box. But the London side fought back immediately after the break.
Pino and Kamada spark Palace fightback
On 50 minutes, Yeremy Pino reduced the deficit with a powerful left-foot strike after clever interplay between Ismaïla Sarr and his teammates. Lyon wobbled as Crystal Palace pushed for an equalizer, and Daichi Kamada pulled one back in the 81st minute after a defensive error, sparking wild celebrations among the visiting supporters.
With the clock ticking past 90 minutes, Lyon’s Pavel Šulc emerged as the hero. Arriving late in the box, he produced a delicate back-heeled finish to restore Lyon’s lead and silence the traveling crowd. Anthony Greif was called into action one last time to preserve the win on a corner in stoppage time.
Sage returns, Lyon responds under pressure
The match marked the first time Lyon faced a team managed by former boss Pierre Sage since his departure. The departure of Sage last season had left many fans divided, but his tactical influence was palpable as Crystal Palace set up compactly and pressed Lyon deep into their own half during the first half. Despite falling behind, Lyon’s composure and positional discipline allowed them to weather the storm and reclaim control.
The victory follows Lyon’s 2-0 win at Anderlecht in the opening round, keeping them top of their Europa League group. As the only French side still undefeated in Europe this season, Lyon remains on course for a deep run in the competition.
Key takeaways from Lyon vs. Crystal Palace
- Early dominance: Lyon took the lead within eight minutes and doubled it before halftime, starting confidently against the English side.
- Composure under fire: Despite conceding twice in quick succession after the break, Lyon regrouped to regain the lead.
- Šulc delivers late heroics: The Czech forward’s 76th-minute backheel restored Lyon’s lead and sent the Groupama Stadium into raptures.
- Pierre Sage’s shadow: The return of Lyon’s former manager added a layer of psychological intrigue, making the victory even more symbolic for the club.
