Lyon captain Alexandre Lacazette delivered an outstanding performance, scoring twice in a commanding 4-1 Europa League victory over Rangers at Ibrox. Lacazette’s remarkable display included a stunning long-range goal that capped off a first-half where Lyon showcased their attacking prowess.
Malick Fofana opened the scoring for Lyon shortly after Vlacav Cerny missed a clear opportunity for Rangers. Despite a quick equalizer from Tom Lawrence, who took advantage of a defensive mishap, Lyon regained control. Fofana’s clever pass set up Lacazette for a calm finish, restoring Lyon’s lead before Lacazette struck with a spectacular goal just before half-time.
Fofana added Lyon’s fourth early in the second half, continuing the relentless pressure on Rangers’ defense. Despite some defensive lapses, Lyon maintained a constant attacking threat, with Duje Caleta-Car hitting the crossbar and Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland making key saves to prevent an even larger margin.
Butland expressed disappointment over the performance, stating that Rangers offered too many opportunities for Lyon to exploit their individual talent. “We caused our own issues,” he remarked, highlighting the need for a different approach in future matches.
Kris Boyd praised Lyon’s front trio, noting their speed and skill in outmaneuvering the Rangers defense. “They were outstanding,” Boyd stated, reflecting on the 4-1 scoreline which, he noted, might not even be the worst result for a Scottish team in Europe this week.
This victory marks Lyon’s third consecutive win at Ibrox, adding to their previous victories in 2007 and 2021. With significant challenges ahead, Rangers will need to address their tempo and possession issues in the coming weeks as they prepare for future Europa League encounters.
