Lyon struck early, with Nartey finding the bottom corner in the 8th minute from outside the box. The visitors doubled the lead on 22 minutes when Mohamed Ouédraogo teed up Nakamura, who finished smartly with his right foot. The first half was even in possession at 50-50, yet Lyon were more incisive with 4 shots on target to Anderlecht’s 2. Expected goals also leaned toward Lyon before the break at 0.82 versus 0.54.

Colin Coosemans made two first‑half saves to stop the scoreline getting away from the hosts. Lyon’s front line, led by Loïs Openda’s runs and Nartey’s pressing, kept forcing turnovers in advanced areas. Set‑pieces gave Anderlecht some life, but the final ball was missing against a compact back line. Lyon collected two first‑half bookings, to Moussa Niakhaté and Ouédraogo, yet kept their shape and their lead.

Anderlecht’s response and a different second half

After the interval the hosts took control of the ball and territory. Anderlecht had 66% second‑half possession and piled up entries into the final third. The breakthrough came on 61 minutes as Ali Maamar intercepted high and whipped in a precise cross for Cvetković to head home. That sequence summed up the shift: aggressive recovery, quick delivery, and numbers in the box.

Maamar was a constant outlet on the right, delivering 10 crosses with 4 accurate and creating a big chance. Cvetković was dangerous all game with 3 shots on target and 0.38 xG, even missing a big chance before scoring. Lyon relied more on emergency defending after the break, recording 24 clearances in the second half alone. Rémy Descamps made just one save in that period, with bodies in white doing most of the blocking.

What the numbers say

Anderlecht finished with more of the ball, 58% possession, and more passes, 476 to 351. They also led the final third entries 57 to 36 and accurate passes 399 to 276. Yet shots on target told the other story: Lyon hit the target 10 times to Anderlecht’s 5. The visitors also posted a strong expected goals on target total of 2.12 compared to 0.41 for the hosts. That shot quality on target explains a lot of the early two‑goal cushion.

Lyon won 53% of all duels and completed 9 of 16 dribbles, while Anderlecht managed 3 of 14. Tackles won also leaned Lyon’s way at 76% versus 53%. The visitors cleared their lines 33 times, nearly double Anderlecht’s 16, and that volume mattered late on. In goal, Coosemans made 8 saves and prevented 0.12 goals by Sofascore’s model, keeping his team in it. Descamps ended with 3 saves and a goals prevented figure of -0.59, but Lyon’s outfield defended the box with commitment.

Substitutions and game management

Lyon reset their back line at half‑time, bringing on Nicolás Tagliafico and Felix Bacher to add fresh legs and aerial presence. Those changes tilted the contest toward deeper defending and quicker clearances. Loïs Openda departed on 65 minutes after a lively shift that included striking the woodwork, with Pavel Šulc adding defensive graft and two key blocks, including a goal‑line clearance. Later, Corentin Tolisso and Mads Bidstrup helped Lyon settle midfield second balls.

Anderlecht’s Marco Kana came on at the break and immediately improved distribution, completing 36 of 44 passes and 6 of 7 long balls. Vítor Bruno rolled the dice with Tawfik Bentayeb and Danylo Sikan to chase the equalizer, and Oliver Antman arrived late to stretch the flank. Despite three big second‑half chances, the final touch just would not cooperate. Fouls stayed balanced at 14 to 12 overall, while offsides stung Lyon more at 5 to 3. Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea added three minutes, which Lyon navigated with more clearances and some savvy time management.

MVP: Keito Nakamura runs the show

Nakamura delivered the decisive platform for Lyon’s win and posted a Sofascore Rating of 8.4. He scored the second goal on 22 minutes and kept hurting Anderlecht between the lines. Beyond the finish, he created 4 key passes and completed 23 of 27 passes overall. His two‑way work shone as well, with 8 ball recoveries and 3 tackles.

Nakamura also won 6 duels, delivered 2 accurate crosses out of 6, and put 2 shots on target. He carried the ball 19 times for a total progression of 73.98 meters, helping Lyon break pressure and turn defense into attack. It was the kind of all‑field winger display that tilts big European nights. Close behind in the ratings, Coosemans earned 8.2 for eight saves, while Cvetković’s 7.6 reflected a tireless, goal‑scoring shift. Off the bench, Šulc’s 7.7 owed much to valuable blocks in his own box, and Ouédraogo’s assist anchored a 7.4 in an action‑packed half.