Alexandre Lacazette delivered a decisive performance with a well-taken brace as Olympique Lyonnais fought back to secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Stade Brestois.
The comeback triumph not only strengthened their push for a top-four finish in Ligue 1 but also ended Brest’s impressive four-game unbeaten streak on the road.
The match began evenly, with both teams cautiously probing for an opening. Brest’s Mathias Pereira Lage attempted an early effort, but his shot sailed harmlessly over the bar
. That was the closest either side came in the opening 15 minutes, as both defenses remained resolute.
However, the deadlock was soon broken in dramatic fashion. VAR officials intervened after spotting a handball by Lacazette during a Brest corner.
Referee Benoît Millot took a brief glance at the monitor before awarding the visitors a penalty. Kenny Lala stepped up confidently and dispatched a superb strike into the top-right corner, maintaining his perfect career penalty record at 14 out of 14.
Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri dived the wrong way, giving Brest the lead.
Lyon almost found themselves trailing further when Ludovic Ajorque narrowly missed the target moments later.
However, the home side quickly found their rhythm and began to press forward. Their persistence paid off when Lacazette atoned for his earlier error, finishing off a slick passing sequence on the edge of Brest’s box.
Rayan Cherki’s perfectly timed through-ball unlocked the defense, allowing the Lyon captain to slot a precise shot into the far corner.
Thiago Almada had a golden opportunity to complete the turnaround before halftime, but he skewed his effort wide after another well-weighted pass from Cherki.
Meanwhile, Lyon had a narrow escape at the other end when Abdullah Sima’s header flew just over the bar. With the score level at the break, the contest remained finely poised.
Lacazette had the first clear chance of the second half, breaking into the box but unable to direct his shot past the near post under intense pressure from two Brest defenders.
Lyon’s attack continued to ask questions, with Georges Mikautadze forcing a superb diving save from Marco Bizot with a stooping header.
Brest sought to break their long-standing winless streak at Lyon, and Sima appeared their best hope. His electrifying pace troubled Clinton Mata, and only a last-ditch sliding tackle from Tanner Tessmann prevented him from testing the goalkeeper before the hour mark.
As the game neared its conclusion, Lyon needed a hero—and their captain delivered once again. With just eight minutes remaining, Cherki delivered another dangerous ball from the right flank, which Lacazette expertly guided into the net for his fourth match-winning goal of the season.
The victory brings Lyon within four points of fourth-placed AS Monaco, keeping their European ambitions alive.
Brest, on the other hand, were left frustrated after two late penalty appeals for handball were waved away. Now six points behind Lyon, their hopes of securing European football next season are hanging by a thread.
