Lyon made the fast start count in Brussels, then survived a late Anderlecht surge to begin their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 win. Keito Nakamura scored his first goal for Les Gones, while Rémy Descamps produced a crucial late save as Paulo Fonseca’s rotated side held on.
Lyon beat Anderlecht 2-1 after resisting late pressure
SEO title: Lyon hold off Anderlecht as Keito Nakamura scores first goal
SEO description: Lyon opened their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 victory at Anderlecht, with Keito Nakamura scoring his first goal for the club and Rémy Descamps making a key late save.
Fonseca changed his team ahead of Rennes’ visit on Saturday at 20:45, but Lyon began with conviction. Their high pressing, compact midfield block and the running of Nakamura, Loïs Openda and Kaïl Boudache quickly put Anderlecht under strain.
The visitors were in front inside eight minutes. Boudache’s cross was deflected into the path of Noah Nartey, who controlled before sending a low finish past goalkeeper Colin Coosemans.
Lyon doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. Nakamura beat former Strasbourg defender Andrew Omobamidele in the penalty area and saw his shot take a decisive deflection off Enric Llansana’s back on its way in.
Anderlecht did create openings before the interval. Descamps used his left arm to deny Mihajlo Cvetkovic in a one-on-one situation in the 34th minute, preserving Lyon’s two-goal cushion.
Changes after a nervous first half
Lyon’s staff acted at the break after Moussa Niakhaté and Mohamed Ouédraogo had both been booked, with Nicolas Tagliafico and Felix Bacher introduced for the second half.
The French side remained disciplined and more compact without the ball, but missed several chances to settle the contest on the break. Tyler Morton had an effort ruled out for offside in the 52nd minute, before Boudache and Openda failed to convert opportunities in the following seven minutes.
Those misses became more costly when Clinton Mata made a serious error in possession. Cvetkovic headed Anderlecht back into the match in the 61st minute, and Descamps may have felt he could have done more to keep the effort out.
With Lyon beginning to tire physically, Fonseca sent on Pavel Sulc in the 65th minute, followed by Corentin Tolisso and Mads Bidstrup nine minutes later in an attempt to restore energy and control.
Descamps responds at the decisive moment
Anderlecht dominated the final quarter-hour and pushed Lyon deep. Descamps, however, recovered from the earlier concession with an important stop from Tawfik Bentayeb in the 80th minute.
Lyon’s defence saw out the remaining pressure to secure a valuable European away victory, carrying momentum into Saturday’s Ligue 1 meeting with Rennes.
