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Played
July 28, 2012 9:00 PM BST
Red Bull Arena — Harrison, New Jersey
Referee: J. Gonzalez
July 28, 2012 9:00 PM BST
Red Bull Arena — Harrison, New Jersey
Referee: J. Gonzalez
Montpellier 2-2 Olympique Lyonnais (2-4 on penalties): Lloris the hero as Les Gones clinch record seventh Trophee des Champions
An entertaining clash in the traditional French football curtain-raiser saw Les Gones twice come from behind against the Ligue 1 champions before winning in the shootout
By Mohammed Ali
Panoramic
Olympique Lyonnais clinched their seventh Trophee des Champions after beating ten-man Montpellier 4-2 on penalties in a highly pulsating encounter at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.
John Utaka opened the scoring in the 27th minute before Bafetimbi Gomis restored parity a minute before half-time. New signing Emanuel Herrera converted a penalty early into the second period before Jimmy Briand again equalised with a superb volley with 15 minutes left to play.
Marco Estrada was sent off for a challenge on Yassine Benzia, as Alexandre Lacazette and Briand wasted a glorious chance to win it for Lyon late on. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Hugo Lloris was the hero as Lyon prevailed, saving from Henri Bedimo to win.
A rather turgid opening 15 minutes in the United States did little to enthuse the surprisingly sparse crowd inside the Red Bull Arena. Nevertheless, the first chance did eventually present itself, at the feet of the man who struck the decisive blow in the Ligue 1 title race in May.
After a sweeping attacking move from La Paillade, John Utaka cut in from his left before striking a powerful effort against the crossbar of Lloris as Remi Garde's men breathed an early sigh of relief.
Rene Girard's side were much the more adventurous outfit in the first half, a testament perhaps to Lyon's below-par preparations and turmoil. The fact became apparent again when Montpellier took the lead in the 27th minute.
A fine threaded ball towards Utaka on the left saw the Nigerian international take full advantage of questionable OL defending, dribbling nonchalantly past three defenders and rifle a sumptuous finish into the roof of Lloris' net for 1-0.
Lyon were still distinctly average, and were lucky not to have been further behind. A speculative move by Remy Cabella saw him power past his opponent before delivering a low ball which would be narrowly fired over by Mounier.
Les Gones did begin to emerge from their lull, with a powerful Gueida Fofana effort from distance zipping inches wide of an unsuspecting Geoffrey Jourdren's left post.
The leveller did come in the end, a minute before half-time. Yoann Gourcuff's whipped cross met the head of Gomis, and the former Sainte man rose highest to equalise and frustrate the previously dominating Montpellier as the sides went in for the break.
The second half began in controversial fashion. A free-kick from Marco Estrada struck the hand of Mahamadou Dabo and referee Jorge Gonzalez was unhesitating in awarding a penalty. Up stepped Herrera who struck with aplomb to restore La Paillade's advantage.
Reeling from the second setback, Garde's side again sought another opportunity, in which Fofana again let fly from distance, narrowly missing Jourdren's post. Lyon were in the ascendancy as the game wore on, with a Yoann Gourcuff effort being tipped over by the goalkeeper.
Lyon's persistent perseverance was rewarded, and in great fashion. A dipping cross from substitute Alexandre Lacazette was met by a delicious volley by Jimmy Briand who fired into the bottom corner. Montpellier were subsequently reduced to ten men after Estrada was sent off for a poor challenge on Yassine Benzia.
A highly entertaining spectacle by this point, substitute Benjamin Stambouli forced Bakary Kone into a goal-line clearance before Lacazette spurned the biggest of chances to miss from an open goal and Briand to smack against the post with an acrobatic overhead kick in the last few minutes.
At the other end, substitutes Souleymane Camara and Gaetan Charbonnier combined to force Lloris into a world-class stop as the game ended 2-2. On penalties, Lyon made up for their APOEL heartbreak, as Bedimo's effort was saved by Lloris to clinch the trophy.
Montpellier commence the defence of their title against Toulouse on Ligue 1's opening night on August 10th. Lyon encounter Rennes a day later.
John Utaka opened the scoring in the 27th minute before Bafetimbi Gomis restored parity a minute before half-time. New signing Emanuel Herrera converted a penalty early into the second period before Jimmy Briand again equalised with a superb volley with 15 minutes left to play.
Marco Estrada was sent off for a challenge on Yassine Benzia, as Alexandre Lacazette and Briand wasted a glorious chance to win it for Lyon late on. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Hugo Lloris was the hero as Lyon prevailed, saving from Henri Bedimo to win.
A rather turgid opening 15 minutes in the United States did little to enthuse the surprisingly sparse crowd inside the Red Bull Arena. Nevertheless, the first chance did eventually present itself, at the feet of the man who struck the decisive blow in the Ligue 1 title race in May.
After a sweeping attacking move from La Paillade, John Utaka cut in from his left before striking a powerful effort against the crossbar of Lloris as Remi Garde's men breathed an early sigh of relief.
Rene Girard's side were much the more adventurous outfit in the first half, a testament perhaps to Lyon's below-par preparations and turmoil. The fact became apparent again when Montpellier took the lead in the 27th minute.
A fine threaded ball towards Utaka on the left saw the Nigerian international take full advantage of questionable OL defending, dribbling nonchalantly past three defenders and rifle a sumptuous finish into the roof of Lloris' net for 1-0.
Lyon were still distinctly average, and were lucky not to have been further behind. A speculative move by Remy Cabella saw him power past his opponent before delivering a low ball which would be narrowly fired over by Mounier.
Les Gones did begin to emerge from their lull, with a powerful Gueida Fofana effort from distance zipping inches wide of an unsuspecting Geoffrey Jourdren's left post.
The leveller did come in the end, a minute before half-time. Yoann Gourcuff's whipped cross met the head of Gomis, and the former Sainte man rose highest to equalise and frustrate the previously dominating Montpellier as the sides went in for the break.
The second half began in controversial fashion. A free-kick from Marco Estrada struck the hand of Mahamadou Dabo and referee Jorge Gonzalez was unhesitating in awarding a penalty. Up stepped Herrera who struck with aplomb to restore La Paillade's advantage.
Reeling from the second setback, Garde's side again sought another opportunity, in which Fofana again let fly from distance, narrowly missing Jourdren's post. Lyon were in the ascendancy as the game wore on, with a Yoann Gourcuff effort being tipped over by the goalkeeper.
Lyon's persistent perseverance was rewarded, and in great fashion. A dipping cross from substitute Alexandre Lacazette was met by a delicious volley by Jimmy Briand who fired into the bottom corner. Montpellier were subsequently reduced to ten men after Estrada was sent off for a poor challenge on Yassine Benzia.
A highly entertaining spectacle by this point, substitute Benjamin Stambouli forced Bakary Kone into a goal-line clearance before Lacazette spurned the biggest of chances to miss from an open goal and Briand to smack against the post with an acrobatic overhead kick in the last few minutes.
At the other end, substitutes Souleymane Camara and Gaetan Charbonnier combined to force Lloris into a world-class stop as the game ended 2-2. On penalties, Lyon made up for their APOEL heartbreak, as Bedimo's effort was saved by Lloris to clinch the trophy.
Montpellier commence the defence of their title against Toulouse on Ligue 1's opening night on August 10th. Lyon encounter Rennes a day later.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
