In the latest round of Ligue 1 action, Lyon defeated Rennes 2-1 on Sunday night at the Stade de France. The victory was the first for the French champions since their return from a suspension following the World Cup, and it marked another important step towards reaching the Europa League.
The match started brightly with both teams displaying strong attacking play. Rennes had the early goal as they scored through a header by Antoine Griezmann just five minutes into the game. However, Lyon responded quickly, with Lionel Messi scoring his second goal of the season off a free-kick from a corner kick.
As the match progressed, Lyon continued to dominate possession and create chances for their own goals. They even threatened Rennes in the 45th minute when they were awarded a penalty after a foul on Yannick Bolasie, but the referee ruled that the shot was outside the area and therefore nullified.
The second half saw more of the same for Lyon, who kept pressing Rennes. They were finally able to score their third goal of the game in the 78th minute, when Lionel Messi scored a free-kick from close range past goalkeeper Thibault Courbis.
Rennes tried to rally, but it was too little, too late as Lyon secured their place in the Europa League zone with this win. The result marks a significant milestone for Lyon, who have now won back-to-back matches in the league and qualified for Europe for the first time since their return from the World Cup.
The victory also gives Lyon a chance to take some pride in their performance, knowing that they will be facing stronger opposition in the Europa League. It is likely that they will face Real Madrid or Manchester City next week in the group stage, which should provide plenty of motivation for their players.
Overall, the victory over Rennes was a crucial step forward for Lyon, and it sets them up well for future success in the Europa League. With a strong squad and a talented team, they could potentially reach the final of the competition.