PLAYER RATINGS | Lyon 4-2 PAOK: OL’s academy graduates shine as they secure top spot in the Europa League | OneFootball

UEFA Europa League, Matchday 8, 29/01/2026

Lyon had already confirmed their place in the RO16 before the final matchday, but had the opportunity to win the league phase as PAOK visited the Groupama Stadium. Les Gones secured top spot in a hectic game which involved 6 goals and a red card. The Ligue 1 club were victorious thanks to goals from Rémi Himbert, Khalis Merah, Adam Karabec and Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez. 

The match

Afonso Moreira went close to giving Les Gones the lead. The Portuguese winger adopted a more central position and fired his shot towards goal from distance, but it narrowly curled wide. However, it would be PAOK that took the lead. An improvised corner routine saw Zivkovic deliver an in-swinging cross into the area to find an unmarked Giakoumakis, who applied a simple finish to send the ball beyond Descamps. 

As OL looked to respond, Himbert was presented with a glorious opportunity. The 17-year-old was played in behind by Maitland-Niles and tried to loft his effort over Tsiftsis, but the PAOK stopper made a good save. Less than 30 seconds later, the teenager had a second chance, and he made no mistake to score his first senior goal and level the match. Slid in behind by Moreira, the forward shifted the ball onto his right foot and produced a brilliantly curved finish to find the bottom corner. 

The match would produce more drama before the half-time whistle with a red card. Giannis Konstantellias, who had already received a yellow card for dissent, was booked for a second time following a late and laboured challenge, leaving his boyhood club with a man disadvantage. The scores were level at the break. 

OL’s numerical advantage showed after the resumption of play as they dominated possession. This dominance in possession eventually tolled, and Khalis Merah gave them the lead. Moreira went on a great run down the left flank before finding the attacking midfielder in an advanced position. He did well to get the ball onto his stronger foot and bend his effort into the bottom corner for his first professional goal.

Despite finding themselves behind, PAOK pushed for an equaliser and found one. A corner delivered into the box found Soualiho Meité in the area, who managed to get higher than Niakhaté and head home beyond Descamps. Tessmann aimed to restore his side’s lead with an effort from distance, but Tsiftsis was equal to his effort and pushed it away from goal. In the build-up to the American’s shot, Himbert was brought down in the area, which prompted a VAR check for a penalty. A replay showed Michaillis kicked the teenager’s leg, and OL were awarded a penalty. Karabec stepped up from 12-yards and clattered the crossbar. 

He would have the opportunity to redeem himself, though, and he did just that with the winning goal of the match. Second-half substitute Adil Hamdani did well to find space in the penalty area, before finding the winger whose brilliant first touch allowed him to apply the finish and win the match for Lyon. This wouldn’t be the last goal of the match. Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez got in on the action in stoppage time. The English youth international broke in behind and found the back of the net with aplomb. 

Lyon player ratings:

Rémy Descamps – 5

Clinton Mata – 5

Moussa Niakhaté – 4

Ruben Kluivert – 6

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 6

Mathys De Carvalho – 5

Tyler Morton – 6

Khalis Merah – 6

Afonso Moreira – 8

Operating as a left winger, the Portuguese youth international was hugely influential for Les Gones. Whether it be drifting inside, menacing dribbling, tracking back to fulfil his defensive duties or playing a defence-splitting pass to assist his side’s opening goal, the attacker was involved in most of Lyon’s positive phases of play, and it showed with two assists.

Rémi Himbert – 7 

Lyon fans will be excited to see their latest academy graduate thriving. The 17-year-old showed intelligence with his runs and positioning behind the PAOK defence and was rewarded with his first senior goal after a brilliant finish into the bottom corner. He also won a penalty. The Frenchman didn’t look fazed one bit by the occasion of making his European debut. 

Adam Karabec – 6 

GFFN | Liam Wraith