Lyon defeated PSG 3-0 on Sunday. (Photo copyright Getty Images)
France’s marquee matchup was pretty one-sided on Sunday.
Lyon dictated play from the start and cruised past rival PSG, 3-0, in a chippy match. Louisa Necib, Lotta Schelin and Laëtitia Tonazzi all scored to send Lyon atop the Feminine Division 1 table.
Necib opened the scoring in the 55th minute after a stalemate of a first half when she tapped in Schelin’s cross. Schelin finished one of her own 15 minutes later after she settled a loose ball in the box and ripped a right-footed shot into the lower corner.
Schelin nearly scored a second goal in the 81st minute, but her tap-in effort from close range rung back off the post. Tonazzi sealed the match in style, however, chipping PSG keeper Karima Benameur from distance to make it 3-0 in stoppage time.
While the goals came late, Lyon were active from the start, with Camille Abily’s 7th minute header forcing a big save from Benameur and Necib nearly finding net on a powerful strike in the 34th minute.
Lyon (4-0-0, 12 pts.) jump clear of Montpellier, Juvisy and PSG, all on 9 pts.
PSG’s best chances came in the 30th minute, when American Lindsey Horan couldn’t put enough power behind her open look, and in the 36th minute when Marie-Laure Delie’s header forced Sarah Bouhaddi into action.
U.S. international Megan Rapinoe made her first appearance of the season for Lyon, entering for Abily in the 69th minute, just seconds before Schelin’s tally. U.S. teammate Tobin Heath was on the bench for PSG but did not play. She still has not played a competitive match since winning the NWSL Championship with Portland Thorns FC on August 31. Heath skipped the entire week of training prior to that match with a sore right foot, but played and scored a stunning game-winner. She was seen after that NWSL game with a walking boot on her right foot, and she left for Paris the next day.
Lineups:
PSG XI: Benameur, Georges, Delannoy, Krahn, Houara, Kaci, Boulleau, Dali, Cruz, Delie, Horan
Lyon XI: Bouhaddi, Renard, Kumagai, Bussaglia, Franco, Henry, Bussaglia, Schelin, Nécib, Thomis, Dickenmann, Abily
