Alexandre Lacazette capped off another strong season for Olympique Lyonnais as his double helped lift OL to a 2-1 home win, sealing sixth place
On the back of Olympique de Marseille’s loss in midweek, European football was all but sealed for Olympique Lyonnais ahead of Sunday's final match of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats season— even a loss for Les Gones and a win for the UEFA Europa League semifinalists would see OL remain ahead of their rivals and in the top seven, but with a dramatic late win over RC Strasbourg, Pierre Sage’s side even slipped ahead of Lens to finish sixth.
The match was a cagy affair, and one which was decided from the penalty spot in three crucial moments, much to the delight of Lyon’s fans, who saw their side once again battle back from a deficit with a late winner. Both managers put out strong sides, with fitness being the only factors which saw Patrick Vieira leave out Dilane Bakwa and Kévin Gameiro.
With the match barely underway, Maxence Caqueret thought he had given his side the lead after just four minutes, as his deflected effort went past Alaa Bellaarouch, but a late flag denied the academy product. From there, the match settled somewhat, but Bellaarouch had to be sharp again ten minutes before the break, pulling off a fine diving save to deny Corentin Tolisso.
Lyon continued to up the pressure, though, and had their lead just before the break thanks to Alexandre Lacazette, who turned home Saïd Benrahma’s cross from close range. Strasbourg were undeterred, though, and Habib Diarra would level the match just after the hour mark, finishing off a well-executed counterattack to make it one-all.
Lacazette closes up the season with a brace 🦁🫡 pic.twitter.com/mGRducLgab
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 19, 2024
Patrick Vieira’s side even had a golden chance to take the lead, but Emanuel Emegha’s penalty effort came off the woodwork with fifteen minutes to go. Just moments later, Lyon and their fans were furious when they saw a penalty decision go against them, but they would have the last laugh, as in stoppage time, another foul in the box would result in a penalty, which Lacazette coolly slotted home to secure the result, capping what’s been a remarkable second half of the season for Lyon.
Up next for Lyon is next weekend’s Coupe de France final — they’ll take on Paris Saint-Germain with a chance to secure their first silverware since 2012, and to also secure a place in the Europa League group stage. For Strasbourg, their season ends with safety secured and a promising future for one of the league’s youngest sides.
