Alexandre Lacazette scored twice as Olympique Lyonnais moved within a point of second-placed Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 by defeating struggling Stade Malherbe Caen Calvados 3-0 on Friday in their third straight win.
Lacazette opened the scoring in the seventh minute by converting a penalty after Caen defender Jean-Jacques Pierre tripped playmaker Nabil Fekir. The Lyon striker then scored a league-leading 15th goal from a corner to double les Gones’ lead in the 57th.
Lyon forward Yassine Benzia made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute by burying a first-time effort into the bottom corner.
Photo: EPA
“Our goal is to get a European spot,” Lyon midfielder Maxime Gonalons said. “We’ve been missing European matches this season.”
Lyon could have reached halftime with a bigger lead, but Caen goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre saved a low strike from Fekir in the 12th minute, a half-volley from rightback Christophe Jallet in the 23rd and a header from Gonalons in the 32nd.
The hosts kept dominating after the break. Samuel Umtiti redirected a corner toward the far post where Lacazette chested the ball to shoot high past Vercoutre.
Photo: EPA
Five minutes later, Fekir set up Benzia for the third goal.
Vercoutre limited the damage by saving a penalty from Fekir in the 76th minute after Caen substitute Jordan Adeoti had fouled the Lyon playmaker. He also diverted a free-kick from Rachid Ghezzal onto the post in the 79th.
BUNDESLIGA
AP, BERLIN
Roberto Firmino’s late strike gave TSG 1899 Hoffenheim a 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Friday.
Firmino, who also created Hoffe’s opening goal, converted from close range three minutes from time after Adam Szalai back-heeled the rebound from Timo Hildebrand’s initial save into his path.
Kevin Volland opened the scoring in the 43rd minute when Firmino played him through.
Stefan Aigner equalized in the 58th minute after a cross from Bastian Oczipka, only for Hoffenheim substitute Szalai to restore the home side’s lead in the 66th minute.
Hoffenheim’s Tarik Elyounoussi struck the post in the 76th minute and was made to rue the missed opportunity when Haris Seferovic equalized a minute later.
However, Firmino’s late winner was enough to propel Hoffenheim above Frankfurt and into seventh place in the league after 15 games.
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
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
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