Lyon defeated Nice 2-1 to secure all three points at Groupama Stadium.

Lyon hosted Nice in a Ligue 1 encounter at Groupama Stadium on 18 October 2026. The atmosphere was electric as both sides looked to improve their early-season standing, and the match delivered a mix of early drama, decisive goals and a late dismissal that shaped the final result.

How it unfolded

The opening stages saw Nice’s left-back Niels Nkounkou booked for a bad foul in the 10th minute, a warning that hinted at the physical nature of the game. Just eight minutes later, Nice took the lead when winger Elye Wahi finished a Jonathan Clauss cross with a right-footed strike from the centre of the box, sending the ball to the bottom left corner to make it 1-0.

Lyon responded swiftly. In the 32nd minute, Pavel Sulc restored parity with a close-range effort that curled into the bottom left corner, leveling the score at 1-1. Four minutes after the equaliser, Lyon capitalised on a set-piece situation: Zachary Athekame delivered a cross that found Tanner Tessmann, who headed the ball from the centre of the box into the centre of the net, putting Lyon ahead 2-1.

The second half began with Nice picking up another booking when Mohamed Abdelmoneim was shown a yellow card for a bad foul in the 48th minute. The visitors continued to struggle with discipline, as Mohamed Amoura received a yellow for a bad foul in the 65th minute.

Tension rose in the 70th minute when Lyon’s Keito Nakamura was sent off after a straight red card, leaving the home side to defend the remainder of the match with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Lyon held on to their lead.

In injury time, Elye Wahi added a fourth booking for Nice, receiving a yellow card for excessive celebration in the 90+4 minute, but the scoreline remained unchanged.

Standout performers

  • Pavel Sulc (Lyon) – Scored the equaliser in the 32nd minute, restoring balance for the hosts.
  • Tanner Tessmann (Lyon) – Netted the winning goal in the 36th minute, heading in from a Zachary Athekame cross.
  • Elye Wahi (Nice) – Opened the scoring with a well-timed finish in the 18th minute and was involved in key moments for Nice throughout the game.

Match facts

  • Final score: Lyon 2-1 Nice
  • Scorers:
    • Elye Wahi (Nice) – 18' (assist: Jonathan Clauss)
    • Pavel Sulc (Lyon) – 32'
    • Tanner Tessmann (Lyon) – 36' (assist: Zachary Athekame)
  • Bookings:
    • Niels Nkounkou (Nice) – 10'
    • Mohamed Abdelmoneim (Nice) – 48'
    • Mohamed Amoura (Nice) – 65'
    • Elye Wahi (Nice) – 90+4'
  • Sending-off: Keito Nakamura (Lyon) – 70' (straight red)
  • Venue: Groupama Stadium, Lyon

What it means

Lyon’s 2-1 win, secured despite playing most of the second half with ten men, earns them three points and demonstrates resilience after the dismissal. Nice, despite taking an early lead, fall short and return home with a defeat, having accumulated four cautions during the match.