PSG eventually got the victory over Lyon yesterday with a stoppage time winner from João Neves. The Parisians went ahead twice through Warren Zaire-Emery and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia but Lyon equalised first through Afonso Moreira and then through Ainsley Maitland-Niles before the Portuguese midfielder snatched the victory at the death.
With Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele injured, Luis Enrique started a front three of Kvaratskhelia, Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-In. Lyon coach Jorge Maciel deployed a 4231 formation, with Rachid Ghezzal up top, flanked by Afonso Moreira and Maitland-Niles, Khalis Merah was the number 10.
The clash between was a thrilling, end-to-end contest characterized by high energy, clinical finishing, and dramatic defensive lapses. The final score of 3-2 to PSG was a testament to their superior resilience, snatching victory in the dying seconds of the game after twice losing the lead.
The first quarter of an hour was marked by a high-intensity battle for control. While PSG dominated possession, Lyon’s defence remained well-organized, ensuring the start was devoid of clear-cut opportunities. PSG’s intent was clear from the outset, leading to the first significant attacking play, an early chance for Senny Mayulu, whose header went just over the bar, signalling the visitors were testing the resolve of the home side.
The game exploded into action midway through the first half. In the 26th minute, PSG finally broke the deadlock. Warren Zaïre-Emery received a clever pass from Vitinha and unleashed a powerful shot into the roof of the net, putting PSG ahead 0-1. This lead, however, was immediately cancelled out in what became the defining pattern of the evening.
Just four minutes later, in the 30th minute, Lyon struck back. Afonso Moreira capitalized on a quick counter-attack, exploiting space to slot home the equaliser, assisted by Moussa Niakhaté, making the score 1-1.
The attacking volatility continued unabated. In the 33rd minute, PSG restored their advantage. Vitinha, central to the offensive play, forced a high turnover and fed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who expertly curled a shot into the corner to make it 1-2. Just before the half, Lyon came agonizingly close to an equaliser. In the 42nd minute, Lyon captain Nicolás Tagliafico hammered a half-volley which struck the left-hand post, leaving the match finely poised at halftime, at least for PSG.
The match official’s discipline was also required just before the break. Clinton Mata received the first Yellow Card for Lyon in the 44th minute for a foul, quickly followed by Senny Mayulu receiving a yellow for PSG in the 45th minute. The teams headed into the interval with PSG holding a narrow 1-2 lead, setting the stage for a spectacular second half.
The second half began just as dramatically as the first ended. Only five minutes in, in the 50th minute, Lyon levelled the score for the second time. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, assisted by Tyler Morton, executed a superb lob over the stranded PSG keeper Lucas Chevalier, bringing the score to 2-2. This goal showcased Lyon’s fighting spirit and once again exposed lapses in the PSG defence.
As the match entered the hour mark, the physical intensity ratcheted up, leading to a quick succession of bookings for Lyon midfielders: Tyler Morton in the 57th minute and Nicolás Tagliafico in the 58th minute, which would prove critical later on. Amidst the bookings, PSG sought to regain the lead through persistent attack. In the 62nd minute, Kang-in Lee cut inside and forced a sharp save from Lyon keeper Dominik Greif, that kept the score at 2-2.
Both coaches sought to influence the game through tactical substitutions. Lyon introduced Adam Karabec in the 64th minute for Rachid Ghezzal. PSG responded by replacing Senny Mayulu with Quentin Ndjantou in the 67th minute, and making a double change in the 75th minute, bringing on Gonçalo Ramos for goalscorer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Fabián Ruiz for Ibrahim Mbaye, injecting fresh attackers to break the deadlock.
Lucas Hernandez for Marquinhos in the 74th minute offered a defensive reshuffle and Lyon’s final throw of the dice came in the 78th minute, replacing Corentin Tolisso with Khalis Merah.
The most dramatic events unfolded in stoppage time. In the 90+3rd minute, Lyon suffered a devastating setback as Nicolás Tagliafico was shown a Red Card after receiving his second yellow for fouling and dragging Vitinha to the ground, leaving Lyon with ten men for the remainder of the contest.
PSG immediately capitalized on the numerical advantage. In the 90+4th minute, with what was effectively the last kick of the game, João Neves rose highest to meet a corner delivered by Lee Kang-in and headed home the PSG winner, securing a thrilling 2-3 victory. The goal sparked chaotic scenes, resulting in yellow cards for Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso and Martin Satriano for dissent and rising tensions. The final whistle blew in the 90+7th minute, confirming a hard-fought win that kept PSG atop the Ligue 1 table after a contest where both sides delivered exceptional attacking play.
