Tanner Tessmann goal secures Lyon win

Following defeat to Rennes last week, Lyon returned to winning ways thanks to a slender win (1-0) over a valiant Angers side.

Lyon struggle against an organised Angers defence

OL were looking to bounce back. Paulo Fonseca's side had begun the Ligue 1 McDonald's side excellently, winning their first three games without condeding a single goal, but suffered their first defeat last weekend against Rennes (3-1).

A reaction was expected and it was forthcoming, too. Les Gones dominated possession in the first half, but with that possession, they only managed to carve out a series of half-chances. Nicolas Tagalifico had the ball in the net ('21) but his effort, from a free-kick, was rightly ruled out after Moussa Niakhaté had kept the ball in play by using his hand. The defender was sanctioned and yellow-carded.

On a night when a former Lyon legend and World Cup-winner, Samuel Umtiti, who recently announced his retirement from football, was celebrated, Lyon continued to push for the three points and were then rewarded a little before the hour mark.

Lyon’s new kit in action 💧 pic.twitter.com/O84NSjsi8f
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 19, 2025

Tanner Tessmann pounced on a loose ball from a strong Hervé Koffi save, finishing emphatically first-time within a crowded box. Lyon had plenty of chances to extend their lead.

Martín Satriano, on loan from Lens and making his debut for Lyon, saw his effort ricochet off the inside of the post (70'). Moments later, Ainsley Maitland-Niles found himself with the goal gaping. Having eliminated his defender, who slid out of the picture, the Englishman then had time to pick his spot, but put his shot narrowly wide (79').

Malick Fofana, so decisive for Lyon in recent weeks, then had a chance, latching onto a deflected ball through, but hit straight at Koffi (83'). OL were nearly made to pay for those misses at the death.

Angers give Lyon a late scare

Dominik Greif, another one of those making their Lyon debuts on the night, did well to palm a Lanroy Machine effort onto the box (90+4'). From the resulting corner, it was Jacques Ekomié (90+6) who then tested Greif with a close-range header, but the Lyon shot-stopper was equal to the effort, and Lyon held on.

It leaves Lyon, one of only two teams to have played five matches, provisionally second in Ligue 1 McDonald's, behind leaders PSG, only on goal difference.

"It wasn't easy, but we did it, all together. We had to show a reaction, and we showed it. We didn't give up. We know there would be a low block, the coach said, and it wouldn't be easy, so we were relieved," reacted Fofana post-match.

The stat: 10

In 2025, Lyon have already won 10 of their 13 home games in Ligue 1 McDonald's fixtures. In that time, Paulo Fonseca's side have also registered one draw and two losses. We are only in September, but that is already their highest total since 2022.

>> Late Rennes comeback stuns Lyon, who suffer first Ligue 1 McDonald's defeat of the season