Lyon secured a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the Europa League, with manager Pierre Sage facing his former club for the first time since departing. The result leaves both teams needing to reassess their Groupama Stadium campaign as matchday action continues across the competition.
Sage returned to Lyon with Crystal Palace in a tightly contested affair that saw the hosts pull away before Palace mounted a late rally. Elsewhere, Benfica dominated Celtic with a 4-1 victory that underscored their attacking strength in this season’s European tie.
Key Facts
- Lyon defeated Crystal Palace 3-2 in the Europa League.
- Pierre Sage managed Crystal Palace against his former side Lyon.
- Benfica beat Celtic 4-1 in a separate Europa League fixture.
- Juventus won 2-1 against Celta Vigo, moving to the top of their group.
- Both Lyon and Benfica scored multiple goals in their respective wins.
What Happened in the Matches?
At the Groupama Stadium, Lyon took control early with goals from Corentin Tolisso and Ernest Nuamah, establishing a commanding lead by halftime. Despite limited offensive output in the first half, Palace responded after the break through Yéremy Pino, who cut the deficit.
Palace substitute Daichi Kamada pulled another goal back late, creating tension in stoppage time, but Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes held firm to preserve the win. The result highlights Palace’s ongoing struggles in European competition under Sage, who previously managed Lyon.
Why Are These Results Significant?
These victories shift momentum in the Europa League groups. Lyon’s performance restores confidence after a difficult domestic spell, while Benfica’s emphatic win over Celtic sends a message to other contenders in the competition.
Europa League results from this matchday also included Juventus’s narrow victory over Celta Vigo. That win moved Juventus to the top of their group, adding further drama to a night of high-stakes fixtures across Europe.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- Lyon beat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Groupama Stadium.
- Pierre Sage was the manager of Crystal Palace during the match.
- Benfica defeated Celtic 4-1.
- Juventus won 2-1 over Celta Vigo.
- Tolisso and Nuamah scored for Lyon; Pino and Kamada scored for Palace.
Still unconfirmed:
- Exact kickoff time and date of the matches.
- Scorers for Benfica and Juventus are not named.
- No details on substitutions or disciplinary actions.
- Referee information and attendance figures remain unreported.
- Group standings and point totals are not specified.
Why It Matters
The Europa League results influence not only group progression but also club morale and transfer-window planning. Strong showings in Europe can affect recruitment, fan engagement, and financial bonuses tied to competition performance.
What To Watch
Fixture scheduling and post-match commentary will determine whether these teams maintain their current trajectories in the coming weeks.