LYON, FRANCE — Endrick's 80th-minute breakthrough and a stoppage-time own goal from Maxime Hautbois secured Lyon's passage into the next round of the Coupe de France with a 2-0 victory over resilient Laval at the Groupama Stadium. The Ligue 1 side dominated possession but needed patience and their Brazilian starlet's quality to finally break down a determined lower-league opponent who refused to yield until the final stages.
The opening exchanges set the tone for what would become a test of Lyon's composure against Laval's organized defensive structure. Despite controlling 72.7% of possession, the hosts found clear-cut chances difficult to manufacture against opponents who packed bodies behind the ball and looked to strike on the counter. Laval's game plan nearly bore fruit as early as the 10th minute when Mamadou Camara forced Rémy Descamps into the first of what would become a busy evening for the Lyon goalkeeper, his right-footed effort from distance comfortably gathered.
Lyon's attacking intent was evident throughout the first half, with Adam Karabec testing Hautbois in the 33rd minute, the Laval goalkeeper equal to the task from close range. But it was Descamps at the other end who truly earned his wages, denying Camara again in the 29th minute before producing another crucial stop to thwart Peter Ouaneh's long-range attempt in the 38th minute. The visitors' clinical edge in front of goal was remarkable – they managed to put six of their eight total shots on target, a 75% conversion rate that kept Lyon's backline honest throughout.
The tactical battle intensified after the interval, with Lyon manager Pierre Sage's side probing for openings while Laval remained compact and dangerous on the break. Hans Hateboer and Khalis Merah saw efforts blocked or saved as the clock ticked past the hour mark without a breakthrough. Pavel Sulc pulled the strings in midfield for Lyon, but Laval's Cyril Mandouki and the tireless Camara disrupted the hosts' rhythm with intelligent positioning and timely interventions.
The decisive moment arrived in the 80th minute when Lyon finally made their territorial dominance count. Sulc, who had been orchestrating play throughout, released Endrick on a lightning counter-attack. The 18-year-old Brazilian, showing composure beyond his years, drove forward before unleashing a left-footed strike from outside the box that flew into the high centre of the goal, leaving Hautbois with no chance. The Groupama Stadium erupted as the breakthrough goal released the tension that had been building throughout the evening.
Laval, to their credit, refused to surrender meekly. In the 90th minute, Mathys Houdayer's right-footed effort from the right side of the box forced another save from Descamps, with William Bianda providing the assist. Three minutes into stoppage time, Malik Tchokounté came agonizingly close to leveling, but Descamps was there again to deny the substitute's left-footed attempt from the centre of the box. The Lyon goalkeeper's six saves proved instrumental in preserving what would become a clean sheet.
The final nail in Laval's coffin came in the 94th minute in cruel fashion. Afonso Moreira, who had entered as a substitute, drove down the right flank and fired a shot that Hautbois could only parry. The ball ricocheted off the unfortunate goalkeeper and trickled over the line for an own goal that made the scoreline more comfortable than the performance perhaps warranted. It was harsh on Hautbois, who had made four saves of his own and kept his side in the contest until the dying moments.
The statistics told the story of Lyon's dominance in possession but also highlighted Laval's threat on the counter. Beyond the 72.7% to 27.3% possession split, Lyon managed 14 shots to Laval's eight, though the visitors' accuracy in finding the target kept them in the contest far longer than the possession numbers suggested. The corner count was nearly even at 8-7 in Lyon's favor, while both sides picked up two yellow cards in a competitive but fair encounter. Matt Commaret and Afonso Moreira saw yellow in the 88th minute, while Endrick had been cautioned earlier in the second half.
Tyler Morton and Clinton Mata provided stability in Lyon's midfield and defense respectively, while Abner Vinícius offered width down the left flank. For Laval, Joseph Samb and Sam Sanna worked tirelessly to keep their defensive shape intact for as long as possible, and their efforts nearly earned a replay had Endrick's quality not intervened. The match showcased the unpredictability of cup football, where lower-league sides can frustrate their more illustrious opponents through organization and determination.
Lyon's progression comes at a crucial time as they prepare for the intensity of a local derby. The win positions them well ahead of their trip to face Saint-Étienne, where three points could prove vital in their league campaign. For Laval, the focus returns to their domestic objectives, knowing they pushed a top-flight opponent to the brink before ultimately falling short in the closing stages.