Uncover the key moments from Lyon’s impressive 4-1 win against Rangers in the Europa League, featuring standout performances from Fofana and Lacazette.
Introduction:
Lyon secured a glittering 4-1 victory over Rangers at Ibrox in a Europa League match, thanks to dazzling performances from Fofana and Lacazette who scored twice each. Scattered glimpses of promise aside, Rangers were just no match for the attacking trifecta of Lyon’s spearheading creative sparkers by Cherki.
A Lively Start from Rangers
Rangers began the match with a purpose, helped in no small part by a home crowd that, after an early tetchy playing of attacking football, eventually found its voice. Jefté delivered a dangerous ball across the six-yard box in Lyon and the chance went begging. James Tavernier then forced a crucial point-blank save from Lyon goalkeeper Perri, as the home side looked for an early breakthrough.
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However, even as Rangers gave a really good account of themselves in their opening moves, Lyon were clinical at the other end.
Early Fofana Goal for Lyon
Lyon’s first attack of note opened the scoring. With some exquisite dribbling by Rayan Cherki on the edge of Rangers’ box, he fed the ball back inside to Saël Fofana, who welcomed the room given to him. The sizeable percentage of Fofana curled an exquisitely placed right-footed shot into the far corner beyond Jack Butland’s reach. It was one of the classic instances of Lyon punishing the mistake with clinical accuracy.
Lawrence Levels for Rangers
It took the Scottish side barely any time to react. Only a minute later, they were level thanks to Tom Lawrence. After some calamity in the Lyon defence, Dessers kept the ball alive against a header by Corentin Tolisso back towards his keeper. The ball broke free for Lawrence, who was the quickest to react and prodded the ball into the net. As he did so, he seemed to injure himself, but the Welshman’s goal gave Rangers a lifeline.
Lawrence, who scored an amazing goal against Hibernian on the week end proved why he is such a vital player in Rangers’ attack.
Lacazette Restores Lyon’s Lead
Lyon did not take much time to regain their lead. Fofana had been tormenting the Ranger defense throughout the evening and this time, after Barron’s errant pass, he was in a very threatening position. Fofana pulled in three of four defenders leaving Lacazette unmarked in the box. The French captain calmly slotted in into the far corner, restituting Lyon’s lead.
The link-up play between Fofana and Lacazette was also too hot for Rangers to handle as the former continued to carve open the Scottish side’s defense with pace and skills.
Thunderous Strike from Lacazette
Just on the verge of the half-time break, Lacazette nodded his second and Lyon’s third in spectacular fashion. Collecting the ball 20 meters from goal, Lacazette took a couple of touches to set himself before unleashing a ferocious shot into the top corner. Butland was helpless as the ball bent away from him and into the net. It was a stunning strike that gave Lyon an almost commanding 3-1 lead at the break.
Lyon’s attacking trio was proving to be too much for Rangers and, though early promise suggested otherwise, Lyon were being outplayed by Lyon’s attacking trio.
Fofana Levels It Up To A Fourth
Things were only going to get worse for Rangers after the break. Fofana scored his second of the night after more excellent work from Cherki. The young French forward glided past Barron on the right wing before delivering a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Fofana tapped in from close range to make it 4-1.
At this time, Rangers were playing for pride alone. Lyon was enjoying full control of the game and the home side couldn’t really trouble the visitors in the second half.
Lyon’s Comfy Victory
On the last whistle of this crunch match, Lyon would be confirmed two consecutive triumphs of the group stage in Europa League as it dominated Atletico Madrid 4-1. Fofana and Lacazette scored each at two different instances while Cherki’s incredible creativity was a proper idea for Lyon’s attackers to shine.
Conclusion:
It was a wake-up call for Rangers in the challenges that await them in Europe: they came out of the gate brightly but were undone in the end by Lyon’s superior quality on the attack. Manager Philippe Clement will need to rally his team ahead of their next European fixture, against FCSB, when home advantage will surely play a decisive role.