Olympique Lyonnais moved back into third place in Ligue 1 after Alexandre Lacazette scored the winning goal in a 2-1 defeat of Stade de Reims on Thursday.
Lacazette fired into the top corner from a tight angle in the first minute of stoppage-time, notching his 12th league goal this season to consolidate his spot as the top scorer.
Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso opened the scoring with a close-range header in the sixth minute, then Reims winger Benjamin Moukandjo leveled by converting a rebound in the 36th.
Photo: AFP
“We made a lot of effort in the second half and were rewarded in the end,” Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir said. “We lacked a bit of movement and aggression in the first half. We were not giving 100 percent.”
Lyon took the lead when Tolisso headed in a free-kick from Fekir, who nearly scored a wonder goal with a long-range lob that Reims goalkeeper Johny Placide stopped in the 35th minute.
However, the hosts invited Reims pressure by sitting back to protect their lead. Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes parried a strike from Prince Oniangue, but could not prevent Moukandjo from volleying the rebound home.
Lyon played with more desire in the second half, but were let down by some poor finishing from Fekir in the 48th minute, Mohamed Yattara in the 57th and Jordan Ferri in the 78th, until Placide palmed Lacazette’s drive from the byline into his own net.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and