Olympique Lyon Vs. Real Madrid: 1-1 Full Time, Karim Benzema Goal Is Huge, But Bafetimbi Gomis Goal Keeps Tie Alive

If you were expecting a boring, defensive, tactical 0-0 draw at the Stade Gerland, you expected wrong. Real Madrid and Olympique Lyon played a great game on Tuesday night in the UEFA Champions League, complete with some great late drama that set up a return leg that could be equally entertaining. Karim Benzema’s goal just seconds after he entered the game looked like the winner, but Bafetimbi Gomis answered just five minutes before the end of regular time, making the match a 1-1 draw and setting up an intriguing fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The first half belonged to Lyon, with their gameplan working to perfection. They had the better of the chances and stifled Madrid’s attack, limiting the touches in dangerous areas of Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Özil, and Emmanuel Adebayor. Lyon’s wide players had a serious impact on the game, while Jeremy Toulalan was probably the best player on the pitch. The first half ended 0-0, but Lyon had all of the momentum.

That momentum did not carry over, though, as Madrid came out guns blazing in the second half. During a period of less than 15 minutes, Madrid hit the woodwork twice and had a legitimate penalty shout denied, just moments before Karim Benzema entered the game.

Painted by the media as the villain in the pre-match build up, Benzema was actually given a standing ovation by the Lyon fans when he entered the match for Adebayor in the 64th minute. Their love affair would not last, though, as it took mere seconds for Benzema to punish his former club by scoring for Madrid, giving Los Merengues a vital away goal.

Their lead would last longer than the home fans’ love affair with their returning star, but only by a few minutes. In the 85th minute, Bafetimbi Gomis found a vital equalizer on a set piece, assisted by a great header from Cris, for which he beat two Madrid defenders. The ball fell right to the feet of Gomis, and despite not appearing to have his shooting boots on throughout the match, he finished when it mattered most.

Lyon were facing certain elimination down 1-0 at home, but Gomis’ goal keeps things interesting. Jose Mourinho will now have a tricker return leg at the Bernabeu than he would have liked.