ENGLAND – An open contest burst into life in the 24th minute when Marçal’s long pass sent Karl Toko Ekambi away. Eric García did superbly to thwart the Lyon striker but the ball broke kindly for Maxwel Cornet to sweep past Ederson. Anthony Lopes saved from Rodri while Cornet’s last-ditch challenge denied Raheem Sterling as City tried to level before the break.
City continued to look toothless in the second half until Sterling darted in behind the Lyon defence and cut the ball back for Kevin De Bruyne to arrow into the corner. Josep Guardiola’s side were now in the ascendancy but their defensive frailty proved their undoing again as Houssem Aouar’s pass released substitute Moussa Dembélé to restore Lyon’s lead.
City’s fate was sealed in a crazy minute as Sterling fired over an unguarded net after Gabriel Jesus had squared; Lyon went straight down the other end and Dembélé tapped in the clincher following Ederson’s parry.
“He was ready to kill the game. It was a fantastic team performance with Cornet and Aouar also at a high level, but having the killer touch at the right time decided this tie,” said Roberto Martínez, UEFA technical observer via UEFA.
What’s next?
Lyon will take on Bayern in the semi-finals. Their single-leg tie will kick off at 21:00 CET on Wednesday 19 August and be held at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.