Previously unbeaten in their last five Ligue 1 openers (W2, D3), the hosts started fast with last season’s top scorer Yann Gboho striking over after a fast break, before Julian Vignolo fired wide after being played through.
The winger then came closer to opening the scoring when his deflected shot hit the post, shortly before club-record signing Thomas Jorgensen saw his effort cleared off the line. Lyon were certainly second-best in the first half, but Kaïl Boudache did curl just wide from the edge of the box as it remained goalless at half-time.
Clear-cut chances came few and far between early in the second half, with Rasmus Nicolaisen seeing his header loop over the bar before Boudache missed the target again from the edge of the area. Jorgensen then showed a glimpse of why Toulouse paid the money for him, as he went on a mazy run leaving defenders on the ground, but ultimately his finish was poor with the ball flying well off target.
Lyon withstood the pressure and with their first shot on target, they took the lead against the run of play. Substitute Pavel Šulc teed up Noah Nartey on the edge of the box, and he brilliantly shot first time into the bottom corner. Les Gones then threatened to extend their advantage in the latter stages, and they did just that with substitute Malick Fofana curling beautifully into the far corner following his senior Corentin Tolisso’s precise pass.
The rest of the match was a procession, ensuring that Jens Berthel Askou’s reign at Toulouse would start with a defeat, after Les Violets were previously four games unbeaten in 2025/26 (W2, D2).
It is also the first time in 19 seasons that Toulouse have lost their opening Ligue 1 match (W14, D4), but there will not be many tougher tests than Lyon, who finished in fourth place last term. As for Les Gones, this victory will boost their confidence ahead of their second-leg UEFA Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce (1-1 agg.) in midweek.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Cristian Casseres (Toulouse)