By Our Man in Lyon
LIONS don’t just roar—they hunt in packs. And last night at the Groupama Stadium, it was the cubs who did the damage.
In a pulsating Europa League encounter that had more twists than a French mountain road, Olympique Lyonnais survived a Greek comeback to win 4-2, securing top spot in the league phase and leaving PAOK FC wondering what might have been.
The night began with a heavy heart following the tragic news of PAOK supporters lost in a road accident earlier in the week.
The atmosphere was respectful, but on the pitch, the Greeks were clinical. Giorgos Giakoumakis silenced the home crowd in the 20th minute, tapping home after some clever work by Andrija Živković.
But Lyon’s conveyor belt of talent wasn’t about to let the lead last. Step forward 17-year-old Rémi Himbert. The starlet showed composure beyond his years to shift the ball onto his right foot and fire home an equalizer that sent the “Gones” into raptures.
The game turned on its head just before the break when PAOK’s Giannis Konstantelias saw red.
Already on a yellow for dissent, a reckless challenge left the visitors with ten men and a mountain to climb.
Lyon’s academy graduates took full advantage. Khalis Merah, just 18, put the hosts ahead with a clinical finish off the far post.
But you can never count out the Greeks. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Soualiho Meïté rose like a skyscraper to power home a header and level the scores at 2-2.
THE KNOCKOUT BLOW
With the clock ticking down and the tension rising, Lyon’s quality finally told.
Adam Karabec, who had earlier missed a penalty by rattling the woodwork, turned from villain to hero. In the 88th minute, he prodded home to restore the lead.
The icing on the cake came deep in stoppage time. English youth international Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez burst through the tired PAOK defense to slot home his first senior goal, making it 4-2 and ensuring Lyon finish the league phase as the team everyone wants to avoid.
Lyon are purring, their youngsters are flying, and on this evidence, they’ll take some stopping in the knockouts.
