Europa League: Lyon snatch late draw against Celta Vigo

Olympique Lyonnais secured a 1–1 draw away at Celta Vigo in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie on Thursday night. Endrick’s late equaliser in the 87th minute cancelled out Javi Rueda’s first-half opener, ensuring Paulo Fonseca’s side return to France with the tie finely balanced ahead of the second leg.

Despite dominating possession and playing over half an hour against ten men, Lyon had to wait until the closing minutes to break down the Spanish side’s resistance.

Lyon dominate early but fall behind

Lyon started brightly in Vigo and quickly imposed themselves on the game. Fonseca’s men controlled possession and produced the first clear opportunity when Nartey fired wide following good work from Steeve Kango, the 19-year-old wing-back making his first European start.

However, despite Lyon’s dominance, it was Celta Vigo who struck first in the 25th minute. A rapid counter-attack caught the Lyon defence off guard, and Javi Rueda finished from close range after a cross from the left flank.

The goal left Lyon trailing despite their control of the ball, with Roman Yaremchuk and Endrick both struggling to convert promising attacking situations before half-time.

Red card changes the momentum

The match swung in Lyon’s favour early in the second half. Celta midfielder Borja Iglesias received a second yellow card in the 54th minute after a reckless challenge on Clinton Mata, reducing the Spanish side to ten men.

From that point on, Lyon dominated almost entirely, enjoying long spells of possession and repeatedly threatening the Celta goal.

Endrick forced a save from goalkeeper Andrei Radu, while Yaremchuk’s powerful header was also brilliantly denied. The closest Lyon came before the equaliser was when young defender Kango struck the post with a powerful effort from distance.

Endrick finally breaks through

After waves of pressure, Lyon finally found their reward in the closing stages.

In the 87th minute, Endrick cut inside and curled a left-footed effort from outside the box. Although the shot was not particularly powerful, Radu misjudged the strike and allowed the ball to slip through his hands and into the net.

The goal ensured Lyon’s dominance was eventually reflected on the scoreboard.

Tie perfectly balanced before return leg

Lyon continued pushing in stoppage time but could not find a winner.

Nevertheless, the late equaliser gives the French side a valuable result ahead of the return leg, where they will look to capitalise on home advantage to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

After a frustrating evening where they struggled to convert their chances, Fonseca’s side will feel they did enough to keep the tie firmly in their hands heading into next week’s decisive match.

READ MORE: 

>> Europa League: Lille fall to narrow first-leg defeat against Aston Villa