Lyon’s Europa League campaign began under the lights with two early strikes, as Noah Nartey and Keito Nakamura put Anderlecht on the back foot on Wednesday night.
Nartey opened the scoring in the eighth minute of the league-phase opener, reacting quickest after Anderlecht failed to clear a cross from Kail Boudache. The Danish midfielder kept his finish low and placed it beyond goalkeeper Colin Coosemans.
Quick facts
- Noah Nartey scored in the 8th minute against Anderlecht.
- It was Nartey’s fourth goal for Lyon.
- Keito Nakamura made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute.
- Nakamura scored his first Lyon goal on his first start for the club.
- The Japanese forward joined Lyon at the start of September.
The early goal gave Lyon a sharp start to their first match of the Europa League league phase. Nartey had found space inside the area when Boudache’s delivery was only partially dealt with, and there was no hesitation in his finish.
Lyon doubled their advantage 14 minutes later through Nakamura. The Japan international’s shot took a deflection off an Anderlecht defender before changing direction and finding the Belgian side’s net.
It was a first goal in Lyon colours for Nakamura, who was handed his first starting place after arriving earlier this month. The 22nd-minute effort gave the home side a two-goal cushion before the contest had reached its midway point of the first half.
