Petr Sulc's lone goal secured a vital 1-0 away victory for ten-man Lyon over struggling Nantes.
Lyon snatched a crucial 1-0 victory against Nantes at Stade de la Beaujoire on February 7, 2026. Petr Sulc's first-half goal proved the decisive moment, securing all three points for the visitors.
Lyon, entering the match in formidable form, sat comfortably in fourth place in Ligue 1 after securing five consecutive victories. Conversely, struggling Nantes occupied a perilous 16th position, desperately seeking a turnaround after a dismal run of results.
The match began with immediate drama as Lyon's young forward Endrick received a yellow card in just the second minute for holding. This set an early tense tone for a physical encounter.
Lyon capitalized on their attacking intent in the 25th minute. Afonso Moreira delivered a precise assist, allowing Petr Sulc to side-foot the ball home, putting the visitors ahead.
Nantes defender Kévin Amian also saw yellow in the 37th minute for a foul, as the home side struggled to contain Lyon's dynamic attacks. They searched for an equalizer before halftime.
Nantes made a tactical change at halftime, bringing on Mostafa Mohamed to boost their attacking options. They needed a more direct approach to break down Lyon's resilient defense.
The second half exploded in controversy when Endrick received his second yellow card for roughing in the 61st minute. This dismissal left Lyon with ten men, changing the game's complexion entirely.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Lyon defended resolutely. Nantes pushed hard for an equalizer, with Rémy Cabella proving a creative spark, making four key passes.
The home side controlled more possession and took 13 total shots, but only two tested Lyon's goalkeeper Dominik Greif. Substitutions like Dehmaine Tabibou aimed to unlock the defense.
Nantes collected further bookings for Ali Youssef and Moussa Kaba as frustration grew in their attempts to score. The visitors held firm, with Greif making two crucial saves.
Lyon finished with an expected goals (xG) value of 1.21, outperforming Nantes' 0.73, indicating their goal was well-deserved. Clinton Mata earned the highest match rating for his defensive efforts.
This hard-fought victory extended Lyon's impressive winning streak to six matches, solidifying their top-four position. Nantes, meanwhile, remains in a precarious spot, still fighting to climb out of the relegation zone.
