Lyon Vs. Marseille, Ligue 1: 3-2 Full Time, Cris Saves The Day

Lyon are firmly into a UEFA Champions League qualifying spot and challenging for an automatic place, thanks to their dramatic 3-2 home win at the Stade de Gerland over second placed Marseille. The visitors were in control for long stretches of the match and even came back from 2-0 down to level the score at 2-2, but a great strike by captain Cris sealed the victory for Les Gones late into the second half.

Lisandro Lopez opened the scoring in the 25th minute, converting a penalty that he drew from Souleymane Diawara. Marseille pressed forward for the rest of the second half, but couldn’t find an equalizer. The beginning of the first half saw Lyon get back into the game in a fairly even back and forth battle, and they went ahead 2-0 in the 69th, thanks to a magnificent individual effort by Cesar Delgado. The winger beat Marseille right back Rod Fanni with a couple of cutback dribbles, setting himself up for an open shot at the net, which he placed well.

Marseille fought back instantly, though, scoring a goal of their own just one minute later. Lyon forward Jimmy Briand attempted to save a ball from going out for a Marseille corner kick, but in doing so he left the ball for Jordan Ayew. The young Ghanaian hit a low cross to the near post, and an unmarked Lucho Gonzalez tapped it in.

Nine minutes later, Andre-Pierre Gignac and Loic Remy combined for an unorthodox equalizer, as Gignac flicked a Gonzalez corner kick back to Remy, who got a little lucky as he put the ball into the back of the net with his thigh.

Lyon would claim the victory, though, thanks to Cris. Their captain has dealt with poor form and injuries throughout the season, but he came up big when his team needed him most, fighting through defenders in the box to get onto the end of the ball, then strike it with venom into the back of the net on the half volley. His 84th minute strike would be the last goal of the game, and Lyon walked away with a priceless 3-2 victory.