Lyon beat Crystal Palace 3-2 in a thrilling UEFA Europa League league-phase encounter at Groupama Stadium.

The match kicked off on 15 October 2026 under the bright lights of Groupama Stadium in Lyon, forming part of the UEFA Europa League league phase. Both sides entered the game intent on the three points, with the home crowd expecting a strong showing from the French side.

How it unfolded

The opening minutes saw Lyon take the initiative. In the 8th minute Corentin Tolisso opened the scoring, curling a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box into the bottom right corner after a corner, putting the hosts ahead 1-0.

The first half continued with disciplined defending from both teams until the 36th minute, when Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr received a yellow card.

Just before the break, Lyon doubled their lead. In stoppage time of the first half (45'+2"), Ernest Nuamah struck from the centre of the box with his left foot, sending the ball to the bottom left corner. The goal was set up by Keito Nakamura, who provided the assist. The score stood at 2-0.

The second half began with Crystal Palace responding quickly. Five minutes in, Yéremy Pino reduced the deficit, firing a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the top left corner. The move was created by a through ball from Adam Wharton following a corner, making it 2-1.

Six minutes later, in the 56th minute, Yéremy Pino was booked for a bad foul, receiving a yellow card.

Two minutes after that, Lyon’s Keito Nakamura was also shown a yellow card for a bad foul in the 58th minute.

Lyon restored a two-goal cushion in the 76th minute when Pavel Sulc finished a fast-break move. He slotted a right-footed shot from very close range into the bottom right corner, again assisted by Keito Nakamura, extending the lead to 3-1.

Crystal Palace fought back once more, and in the 81st minute Daichi Kamada scored with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box, directing the ball into the centre of the goal to make it 3-2.

The final booking of the match came in the 82nd minute when Chris Richards was shown a yellow card for a bad foul.

Standout performers

Lyon’s attacking trio shone, with Corentin Tolisso, Ernest Nuamah and Pavel Sulc all finding the net. Keito Nakamura contributed two assists, first for Nuamah’s half-time strike and later for Sulc’s decisive goal.

For Crystal Palace, Yéremy Pino and Daichi Kamada provided the goals, while Adam Wharton’s through ball set up Pino’s early second-half response.

Match facts

  • Final score: Lyon 3-2 Crystal Palace
  • Scorers:
    • Lyon – Corentin Tolisso (8'), Ernest Nuamah (45'+2', assist Keito Nakamura), Pavel Sulc (76', assist Keito Nakamura)
    • Crystal Palace – Yéremy Pino (50', assist Adam Wharton), Daichi Kamada (81')
  • Bookings:
    • Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace) – 36'
    • Yéremy Pino (Crystal Palace) – 56'
    • Keito Nakamura (Lyon) – 58'
    • Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) – 82'
  • Venue: Groupama Stadium, Lyon

What it means

The win gives Lyon three points in the UEFA Europa League league phase, putting them ahead of Crystal Palace, who leave the match with two points after their narrow defeat.