Olympique Lyonnais suffered a major setback in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final, falling 3-0 to Celta Vigo on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The match turned decisively against the French side when defender Moussa Niakhaté received a straight red card in the 19th minute for a last-man foul on Celta forward Iago Aspas.
Playing with ten men for over 70 minutes, Lyon struggled to contain the Spanish attack. Celta Vigo's goals were scored by Hugo Álvarez in the 32nd minute, followed by a brace from striker Anastasios Douvikas in the 58th and 81st minutes. The comprehensive defeat leaves Lyon with a monumental task in the second leg at the Groupama Stadium on March 26.
Manager Pierre Sage described the early dismissal as a "catastrophe" for his team's game plan. The result severely damages Lyon's hopes of progressing in the competition and continues a difficult European campaign.
