Lyon boost Champions League hopes with second-half surge at Auxerre

Lyon climb to fourth in Ligue 1 after 3-1 comeback win, as Saint-Etienne and Brest share six goals in dramatic draw.

Rayan Cherki of Olympique Lyonnais in action during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between Auxerre and Lyon at Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps in Auxerre, France, on April 13, 2025. Photo by Anthony Bibard/FEP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Lyon boost Champions League hopes with a dramatic 3-1 comeback win at Auxerre on Sunday, scoring all three goals in the second half to leap into fourth place in the Ligue 1 table. With just a few matches left in the season, this hard-fought victory reinforces Lyon’s ambitions to return to Europe’s biggest stage.

Lyon had to dig deep to find their rhythm at the Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps, but once they clicked into gear after halftime, they took control of the match. The win lifts Paulo Fonseca’s side to 51 points, one clear of both Lille and Strasbourg, and puts them in prime position in the race for Champions League football.

Mikautadze starts second-half onslaught

After a quiet and cagey first half, Lyon’s breakthrough came in the 54th minute when Georges Mikautadze converted a penalty to give the visitors a crucial lead. The Georgian striker showed composure under pressure, sending the keeper the wrong way with a low finish into the corner.

Mikautadze, speaking after the game, was delighted with how the team performed under pressure. “Things are going really well,” he said. “We’re working hard in training and it’s starting to show. This was one of our most complete performances.”

Cherki dazzles, Lacazette seals it

Lyon doubled their lead just eight minutes later, as Rayan Cherki produced a moment of magic. Cutting inside from the left, the young playmaker curled a brilliant shot beyond the reach of Auxerre’s goalkeeper and into the far corner. It was a reminder of his immense talent, and the goal gave Lyon the cushion they needed.

However, the home side refused to fold. Lassine Sinayoko pulled one back for Auxerre in the 77th minute with a well-taken finish that reignited hope among the local fans. It was a nervy final quarter-hour for Lyon, but their experienced captain Alexandre Lacazette settled the contest in the 84th minute, calmly slotting home after a well-worked move.

Lacazette’s goal restored Lyon’s two-goal advantage and effectively ended Auxerre’s fightback. The final whistle confirmed Lyon’s leap into fourth place, and they now control their own destiny in the chase for Champions League football.

Lyon's European dream alive on two fronts

Paulo Fonseca’s side will now shift focus to Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The tie is evenly poised at 2-2 after an entertaining first leg in France, and Lyon will go into the decisive clash with momentum on their side.

“We’re in the running for Champions League qualification and we have a very important game in Europe this week,” Mikautadze added. “We believe in ourselves, and today was a big step forward.”

With a confident display away from home and key players finding form, Lyon have reason to believe that a return to European prominence is within reach. Their remaining Ligue 1 fixtures will be crucial as they aim to cement their place among the continent’s elite.

Saint-Etienne draw adds more pressure in relegation battle

While Lyon’s night ended with celebration, Saint-Etienne’s rollercoaster afternoon ended in frustration as they conceded late to draw 3-3 with Brest in a wild match that had major implications at both ends of the table.

Brest, chasing a European spot of their own, were left stunned after failing to hold onto three separate leads. Ludovic Ajorque opened the scoring early, but Lucas Stassin equalized for Saint-Etienne just 16 minutes in. Abdallah Sima restored Brest’s advantage midway through the half, but Irvin Cardona once again brought the hosts level.

Ajorque grabbed his second to make it 3-2 shortly before halftime, but Brest’s defense crumbled late on, allowing Cardona to net his second and secure a point for Saint-Etienne in the 80th minute.

Despite the dramatic comeback, the draw does little to ease the pressure on Saint-Etienne, who remain in 17th place—three points behind Le Havre in the relegation play-off spot.

Rennes dismantle Le Havre with five-goal blitz

Le Havre’s hold on 16th place took a major hit as Rennes delivered a devastating attacking display in a 5-1 win. The Bretons wasted no time at all, racing into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes thanks to goals from Azor Matusiwa, Lorenz Assignon, and Arnaud Kalimuendo.

Junior Mwanga gave the home fans something to cheer about before halftime, but Rennes were relentless. Second-half goals from Musa Al-Taamari and Carlos Andres Gomez sealed a crushing defeat and pushed Le Havre closer to the relegation fight.

Rennes, meanwhile, continue to surge toward a strong finish in Ligue 1, potentially pushing for a European place depending on results elsewhere.

Angers deepen Montpellier’s misery

Montpellier’s season went from bad to worse on Sunday as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Angers—their 22nd loss of the campaign. Angers, in contrast, used the result to climb to 14th place, boosting their survival hopes with a disciplined and confident performance.

Montpellier remain rooted to the bottom of the table, and with just a few matches remaining, the threat of relegation now looms large.

Ligue 1 table tightens as season nears its climax

With Lyon moving into fourth and tightening their grip on European qualification, and Saint-Etienne and Le Havre still battling for safety, the Ligue 1 season is heading toward a dramatic conclusion.

Lyon’s second-half comeback at Auxerre not only demonstrated their character but also set the tone for what could be an electrifying finish to the campaign. Paulo Fonseca’s men now face a pivotal stretch that could define their season—both in France and in Europe.

Whether chasing glory at Old Trafford or holding onto fourth place at home, Lyon’s Champions League dream is alive—and they’re not backing down.