Champions League
L’OL collapse vs Fenerbahçe ends Champions League hopes
L’OL hosted Fenerbahçe at the Groupama Stadium on Wednesday for the Champions League (Ligue des champions) second‑leg qualifier after a 1‑1 draw in the first leg.
The opening half was fiercely contested, yet the Lyon side soon found themselves under pressure. Turkish attacks multiplied, and at the 24th minute Muriqi broke the deadlock. Four minutes later Brown headed the ball from a corner to make it 0‑2, putting Lyon in a deficit at halftime.
The tie was a two‑legged playoff to decide a place in the Champions League group stage.
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Second‑half drama
Lyon returned with renewed purpose after the break. Fofana reduced the deficit in the 61st minute, finishing from a cross by Maitland‑Niles. Openda’s header appeared to level the score but was ruled out for off‑side in the 64th minute. An apparent equaliser by Boudache was cancelled by VAR after a foul by Athekame in the 75th minute, marking the second VAR intervention of the match.
Aftermath and reaction
Despite sustained pressure in the closing stages and a final chance for Boudache, Lyon could not find a goal. The 2‑0 defeat confirmed Fenerbahçe’s progression and ended Olympique Lyonnais’ Champions League campaign under head coach Paulo Fonseca.