UEFA Europa League Gameweek 2
Lyon 3 - 2 FT Crystal Palace
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Futmetrix Verdict
52
FT
Thu, Oct 22
Bournemouth
3-0
AC Milan
⚡ Intensity
75
⚖️ Balance
20
🏆 Stakes
3
🎲 Upset
0
Two penalties, one red card, total control
Futmetrix Verdict
26
FT
Thu, Oct 22
Sturm Graz
1-0
Marseille
⚡ Intensity
22
⚖️ Balance
31
🏆 Stakes
11
🎲 Upset
60
Diakité struck; Marseille never answered
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Ismaila Sarr 36'
45'+2 Ernest Nuamah (Keito Nakamura)
HT
Yeremy Pino (Adam Wharton) 50'
Yeremy Pino 56'
58' Keito Nakamura
↓ Jörgen Strand Larsen ↑Eddie Nketiah 62'
↓ Ismaila Sarr ↑Daichi Kamada 62'
70' ↓ Khalis Merah ↑Pavel Šulc
70' ↓ Ernest Nuamah ↑Kail Boudache
↓ Yeremy Pino ↑Dario Osorio 75'
↓ Oscar Mingueza ↑Anan Khalaili 75'
76' Pavel Šulc (Keito Nakamura)
78' ↓ Noah Teye Nartey ↑Tanner Tessmann
Daichi Kamada 81'
Chris Richards 82'
↓ Quinten Timber ↑Dwight McNeil 86'
90' ↓ Corentin Tolisso ↑Mads Bidstrup
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Lyon
Goalkeepers
Dominik Greif 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Zachary Athekame 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
5
Tackles
88%
Duel Win %
Felix Bacher
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ruben Kluivert
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Abner 
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Midfielders
Tyler Morton
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Noah Teye Nartey
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Corentin Tolisso 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Kiliane Merah
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
Forwards
Ernest Nuamah 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.6
Rating
Keito Nakamura 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
2
Assists
29%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Rémy Descamps 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Justin Bengui
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Noham Kamara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Steeve Kango
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Clinton Mata
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Moussa Niakhaté
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mads Bidstrup
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pavel Šulc 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Tanner Tessmann
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kaïl Boudache
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Julien Duranville
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rémi Himbert
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Crystal Palace
Goalkeepers
Walter Benitez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Chris Richards 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Axel Disasi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jaydee Canvot
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
100%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Óscar Mingueza
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
Quinten Timber 
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
28%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
Adam Wharton
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
44%
Pass Acc
Tyrick Mitchell 
MAGNET
63
Activity
63
Activity
50
Passes
13
Duels
Ismaïla Sarr
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
62
Entry
Yeremy Pino
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Forwards
Jørgen Strand Larsen
STORMTROOPER
4
Shots
4
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
BENCH
Remi Matthews
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Anan Khalaili
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Benamar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Honest Ahanor
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Darío Osorio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daichi Kamada
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Will Hughes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Eddie Nketiah
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dwight McNeil
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
4
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/05/2023 | Crystal Palace | 2 - 0 | Lyon | Friendlies Clubs | Selhurst Park |
08/05/2023
Lyon Win
Crystal Palace Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -5
P: 2 GD: -5
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +8
P: 3 GD: +8
P: 3 GD: +7
P: 3 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +7
P: 3 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -7
P: 3 GD: -8
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -6
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Lyon
Crystal Palace
Lyon
Crystal Palace
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Substitutes Settle Spectacular Five-Goal Shootout
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 54/100. Lyon's clinical edge off the bench turned a fiercely contested European night into a memorable five-goal thriller at Groupama Stadium.
Early Fireworks
The Intensity was palpable from the opening whistle at Groupama Stadium, as both sides sought to impose their tactical will on this UEFA Europa League clash. Lyon drew first blood with a breathtaking start, as Corentin Tolisso found the back of the net in just the eighth minute. The early opener set a frantic tempo. The French hosts edged possession at 51%, methodically circulating the ball across the pitch to dictate the rhythm. Nevertheless, Crystal Palace absorbed the pressure well and unleashed lightning-fast transitions, frequently testing the defensive line. Just as the visitors looked set to regroup at the interval, Keito Nakamura carved open the defense with a precise final ball. Ernest Nuamah capitalized on the stellar service in stoppage time, firing home to double the advantage and leave the visiting fans in stunned silence at the break.
The London Response
Emerging from the tunnel, the Balance of the contest shifted dramatically as the visitors mounted a fierce comeback effort. Refusing to roll over, the away side ratcheted up their attacking output, ultimately racking up 119 dangerous attacks over the ninety minutes. Their renewed vigor paid immediate dividends in the 50th minute. Midfield maestro Adam Wharton dictated a lightning transition, splitting the lines to find Yeremy Pino, who ruthlessly buried the chance to slice the deficit in half. That strike entirely transformed the atmosphere, turning a comfortable home procession into a nail-biting battle of wills. With an impressive expected goals tally of 1.63, the Londoners constantly knocked on the door, forcing their opponents into hurried clearances and desperate defensive blocks. The match quickly evolved into a chaotic end-to-end spectacle, prompting both dugouts to prepare crucial substitutions.
Bench Heroes Strike
As the clock ticked down, the Stakes skyrocketed and the tactical warfare moved to the sidelines. In the 76th minute, Nakamura cemented his status as the undisputed architect of the night, delivering his second assist to find substitute Pavel Šulc. The fresh-legged attacker emphatically restored the two-goal cushion, seemingly putting the contest to bed. However, the visitors refused to surrender. Just five minutes later, Daichi Kamada—another brilliant super-sub—lashed home a sensational finish to pull it back to 3-2. The final moments were an absolute siege, with a total of 23 shots shared between the two exhausted teams. Despite the relentless late pressure, the French outfit stood their ground to secure maximum points. This thrilling result serves as a massive boost for their continental campaign, proving they have the firepower to survive absolute barnburners.
Key Questions
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
High attacking intent and clinical finishing from impact substitutes Pavel Šulc and Daichi Kamada blew the game wide open in a chaotic second half.
How did substitute Keito Nakamura change the game?
Nakamura was the absolute creative mastermind, continually slicing through the defense to deliver two match-defining assists for Ernest Nuamah and Pavel Šulc.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Early Europa League Top-Eight Showdown
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 94/100. This October 15, 2026 clash at Parc Olympique Lyonnais will expose which side has genuine European title credentials and who is merely making up the numbers.
The Setup
Crystal Palace arrive in France flying high. Their opening 4-0 demolition sent shockwaves through the competition, proving they are serious contenders in this continental title race. Lyon also secured three points in their opener, but a narrow 2-1 victory leaves lingering questions about their defensive solidity. A modest Form rating suggests both squads are still finding their ultimate European rhythm, but an incredibly tight Balance score highlights how evenly matched these sides are on paper. A low Stakes rating reminds us it is only Matchday 2, but securing that coveted top-eight direct qualification spot starts right here. Furthermore, an impressive Stars rating guarantees we are in for top-tier entertainment.
Key Battle
Z. Athekame has been electric for the French side, dragging his team forward with sheer attacking will. He comes directly up against the visitors' creative maestro, D. Kamada, who already boasts three assists to his name. Whoever commands this midfield transition will dictate the tempo and likely take the points.
Our Prediction
Palace's ruthless attacking edge gives them a slight advantage. Expect the visitors to strike early, absorb Lyon's pressure, and snatch a clinical 2-1 away victory on the counter.