Sparta Prague 3 - 4 Lyon: Lyon stun Sparta in dramatic turnaround victory

Ten-man Olympique Lyonnais came from behind to stun Sparta Prague 4-3 on matchday three in the UEFA Europa League (UEL). Peter Bosz’s side remained top of Group A with maximum points despite being two goals down inside 20 minutes. There were two goals from Karl Toko Ekambi, and a goal each for Houssem Aouar and substitute Lucas Pacquetá completed the turnaround.

Both these two sides came into this fixture yet to concede a goal after two games, however Lyon held the edge at the top by two points, winning both of their matches. Despite the defensive wall of ‘Les Gones’ on previous match days, it was Sparta that took the lead when a deflected shot by Lukáš Haraslín complemented the fast start made by the home side. 

‘Železná Sparta’ kept a fast tempo going in the opening stages which seemed to overwhelm the Lyon team. Following an excellent save from Sparta’s goalkeeper Florin Nițӑ by Lyon dangerman Toko Ekambi, the home side countered and Haraslín thrilled the Stadion Letná driving in at the near post to double Sparta’s lead.

Sparta had failed to beat Lyon in their previous four encounters, so the French team were never out of the game. The home side’s defence had to thank Nițӑ for stopping striker Tino Kadaware with his legs.

 However, Toko Ekambi halved the scoreline latching onto Jérôme Boateng’s assist to give Lyon a lifeline before HT. Having seen 13 of their last 17 goals arrive in the second half, Lyon made two changes at the break to bolster their attacking. 

Inevitably, Lyon equalised as Sparta failed to clear Xherdan Shaqiri’s cross, Aouar slammed home via the post. Pacquetá turned the game around when he fired home from Toko Ekambi’s slide-pass. Sparta were given a boost when Lyon were reduced to ten men when Gusto picked up a second yellow card with over 15 minutes to go.

Toko Ekambi scored his second of the night and his fifth of the campaign already, in the final stages of the game. Sparta’s Ladislav Krejčí powered a header in with seconds of stoppage time to go but it wasn’t enough.

The visitors claimed all three points to hold onto their lead in Group A and while Pavel Vrba’s side will be disappointed, they have the opportunity to claim revenge in two weeks time at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon.