Lyon edge closer to qualification vs Qarabag (1-4)

Pierre Sage's side impress with a dominant win in Baku to propel themselves up the Europa League table.

Olympique Lyonnais sealed a dominant 4-1 victory over Qarabag to edge themselves closer to qualification for the elimination stages of the UEFA Europa League. Thanks to a brace from Georges Mikautadze and goals from Corentin Tolisso and Malick Fofana, Les Gones rise up to sixth in the league standings.

The first half was an open affair, and Lyon managed to open the scoring via Georges Mikautadze who found the back of the net for the first time in European competition (16'). The hosts would get close to an immediate equaliser, hitting the post shortly after the opener via Andrade. With further chances in the half Lyon would have to stand firm, but they led into the break.

Lyon came out the gates quickly, creating chances via Caleta Car and Tagliafico relatively early - before OL found their second of the evening. Approaching from 20 yards out, Tolisso stepped up to hit a superb volley into the top corner with a strike akin to a guided missile (63'). It was a moment of quality which set the tone for the rest of the half, as Malick Fofana went on the net the third strike of the game. Saïd Benrahma crossed just in time for Fofana to cut in at the near post and finish past Kochalski (70').

It was then the turn of Georges Mikautadze to grab his brace in classy fashion. Ainsley Maitland-Niles launched a counter attack on the right side for OL, and managed to serve the ball into the box for Mikautadze where he shimmied twice before executing a curled effort into the back of the net (81'). Qarabag would get a goal back via the penalty spot (88'), but Les Gones held on for the three points away from home. 

THE STAT: FOUR 

Lyon have scored at least four goals on two different trips in a European Cup season for the first time in their history. Les Gones have also won eight of their last ten matches away from home in the Europa League.

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