CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Lyon hold Real Madrid in France

Olympique Lyonnais have scored a late equaliser to hold Spanish giants Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League Round of 16.

Bafetimbi Gomis produced the leveler in the 83rd minute with a volley past Iker Casillas to give themselves a slight chance of progressing to the quarter-finals, however, Madrid will surely be favourites heading into their home leg thanks to Karim Benzema’s away goal in the 65th minute.

GOAL The France international entered the fray just moments before his goal, replacing Emmanuel Adebayor. He received the ball from Cristiano Ronaldo before advancing across the centre of the area and placing his shot through the legs of Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris.

GOALNot to be outdone, Gomis was on hand to hit a volley past Casillas seven minutes from time after a free-kick was deflected into his path by Cris.

Madrid are now on the verge of qualifying for the final eight of the tournament for the first time in seven years but it must be remembered that they have not beaten Lyon in seven attempts in Europe’s premier club competition.

Champions League – Round of 16 first leg
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA): 1 (Bafetimbi Gomis 83’)
Real Madrid (ESP): 1 (Karim Benzema 65’)

Venue: Stade de Gerland, Lyon
Crowd: 38,000
Referee: Walter Stark
Yellow cards: OL - Michel Bastos 48’, Cris 63’, Jeremy Pied 70’
RM - Sergio Ramos 10’, Angel Di Maria 45’, Iker Casillas 90’

Starting Line-Ups

Lyon
Hugo Lloris (gk), Dejan Lovren, Cris, Aly Cissokho, Anthony Reveillere, Jeremy Toulalan, Kim Kallstrom (Pjanic 77’), Bafetimbi Gomis, Yoann Gourcuff, Cesar Delgado (Pied 70’), Michel Bastos (Briand 70’)

Subs - Remy Vercoutre (gk), Jeremy Pied (70’), Jimmy Briand (70’), Miralem Pjanic (77’)

Real Madrid
Iker Casillas (gk), Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira (Diarra 68’), Emmanuel Adebayor (Benzema 64’), Mesut Ozil (Marcelo 75’), Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria

Subs - Antonio Adan (gk), Karim Benzema (64’), Lassana Diarra (68’), Marcelo (75’)