Lyon Edge Brest To Climb Fourth In Ligue 1 Table

On a chilly Sunday evening at the Groupama Stadium, Olympique Lyonnais delivered a statement performance, edging out Brest 2-1 in a spirited Ligue 1 clash that showcased both discipline and attacking flair. With this hard-fought victory on January 18, 2026, Lyon soared into fourth place in the league table, overtaking Lille and keeping their European ambitions very much alive.

The stakes were high for both teams heading into this encounter. Lyon, managed by Paulo Fonseca, were riding a wave of recent success, having notched up wins against Lille, Monaco, and Le Havre. Brest, under the guidance of Éric Roy, had shown flashes of promise but were mired in mid-table, sitting 10th with 22 points from 18 games. The match was billed as a battle of the sharpshooters—Lyon’s Pavel Sulc, with seven goals in sixteen games, and Brest’s Romain Del Castillo, who had found the net six times in sixteen appearances.

The match started with Lyon asserting their authority, dominating possession from the outset. By the final whistle, Lyon had controlled a staggering 70.9% of the ball and fired off 19 shots, six of which were on target. Brest, by contrast, found themselves pinned back, managing only five shots and two on target. The home side’s relentless attacking intent was on full display, as they racked up 45 touches inside the opposition box and completed 648 passes at a remarkable 90.7% accuracy.

Yet, despite their dominance, Lyon had to wait for a critical turning point. In the 19th minute, Brest’s talisman Romain Del Castillo was shown a straight red card for a reckless foul on Lyon’s Nicolas Tagliafico. The numerical advantage shifted the momentum decisively in Lyon’s favor. As Endrick, Lyon’s exciting new Brazilian signing on loan from Real Madrid, later put it, "The team’s goal is always to win. There are still great things to play for."

Brest dug in, defending valiantly for much of the first half, but the breakthrough finally came in the 41st minute. Pavel Sulc, Lyon’s top scorer this season, showed his predatory instincts, rounding Brest goalkeeper Gregoire Coudert and finishing from a tight angle to put the hosts ahead. It was Sulc’s eighth goal of the campaign, further cementing his status as one of Ligue 1’s most clinical forwards.

As halftime approached, Lyon pressed their advantage. In stoppage time, Endrick produced a moment of magic, slipping a perfectly weighted pass to his compatriot Abner Vinicius. Abner, who has been in scintillating form, unleashed a thunderous strike from just outside the area, doubling Lyon’s lead with what would prove to be the decisive goal. "That’s what I did for Abner, who scored a magnificent goal. Helping the team is what motivates me," Endrick later reflected on his debut league assist, having already announced himself with a goal in the French Cup the previous weekend.

The second half saw Lyon continue to probe, but Brest, to their credit, refused to capitulate. Despite being a man down and under constant pressure—Lyon attempted 16 crosses and forced four saves from Coudert—Brest found a lifeline late in the match. Junior Dina Ebimbe capitalized on a rare defensive lapse to score and set up a nervy finish. Nevertheless, Lyon’s defense, marshaled by the likes of Tagliafico and buoyed by the midfield industry of Tyler Morton (who has created 20 chances and notched an assist in 15 games), held firm to secure all three points.

The statistics underscored Lyon’s dominance. They won 14 aerial duels, committed 18 fouls (earning two yellow cards), and forced Brest into 31 clearances. Brest, meanwhile, struggled to impose themselves, completing only 265 passes at a 70.2% accuracy and failing to win a single corner kick. The match officials, led by referee Romain Lissorgue and assisted by Video Assistant Referee Mehdi Mokhtari, were kept busy but maintained control in a contest that, while physical, rarely boiled over.

For Lyon, the victory was more than just three points. It marked their seventh win over Brest in 19 meetings, with Brest having won only three times and the teams drawing nine times previously. More importantly, it propelled Lyon into fourth place with 33 points, just two behind third-placed Marseille and ten adrift of surprise leaders Lens. The win also extended Lyon’s impressive form, as they continue to chase a coveted UEFA Champions League spot.

Brest, on the other hand, will rue Del Castillo’s moment of indiscipline and their inability to capitalize on the few chances they created. With a -4 goal differential and a shot differential of -6, Brest’s season has been a tale of inconsistency. Their top scorer, Del Castillo, not only missed the opportunity to add to his tally but also left his team shorthanded for more than 70 minutes. Kamory Doumbia, another bright spot for Brest with four goals in twelve games, was largely kept in check by Lyon’s disciplined backline.

The implications of this result ripple beyond just the two clubs involved. Lyon’s leapfrogging of Lille, who lost to Paris Saint-Germain on Friday, shakes up the race for European places. As Endrick so aptly put it, "What I want is for us to share something beautiful this season." With performances like this, Lyon’s supporters have every reason to dream.

Elsewhere in Ligue 1, Paris FC eased their relegation worries with a 2-1 win at Nantes, while Strasbourg began life under Gary O’Neil with a 2-1 victory over Metz. Rennes, sitting sixth, were held to a 1-1 draw by Le Havre, highlighting just how competitive the league remains as the season approaches its midpoint.

Looking ahead, Lyon will seek to build on this momentum with upcoming fixtures against FC Metz and Lille, while Brest faces a tough test against Toulouse FC. Both teams have plenty left to play for, but on this night, it was Lyon who seized the initiative, blending youthful exuberance, Brazilian flair, and tactical discipline to climb ever closer to the summit of French football.

As the final whistle echoed around the Groupama Stadium, Lyon’s players and fans alike could savor a win that was as much about character as it was about quality. With the race for Europe heating up, this was a night to remember in the heart of Lyon.