Spanish forward Mariano Diaz scored his fourth goal this season and ‘keeper Anthony Lopes produced a couple of decisive saves as Lyon beat Guingamp 2-1 to go third in the French league on Sunday.
Struggling against a well-organized Guingamp team that created plenty of scoring chances, Lyon had to rely on some individual brilliance to snatch a third win of the season.
Nabil Fekir got past two defenders just outside the box to score the winner with a clinical finish in the 72nd minute.
Fekir’s goal came just one minute after Guingamp forward Marcus Thuram — the son of former France international Lilian Thuram — leveled with a fine header for his first goal in the topflight.
With his great pace and physical skills, Diaz has been an excellent addition to Bruno Genesio’s team so far, filling the void left by the departure of Alexandre Lacazette to Arsenal.
The former Real Madrid player broke the deadlock after 19 minutes on the break, after collecting the ball near the halfway line. Guingamp defenders left him too much space and Diaz slotted home with a precise 25-meter (yard) shot into the bottom right corner.
Diaz’s goal came against the run of the play after Guingamp dominated the early exchanges with a high pressing game. The visitors also threatened to score with a couple of fine shots that went close before Lopes won a one-on-one duel with Lucas Deaux.
The Portugal international produced another crucial save in the 49th minute to deny a strike by Deaux, but could do nothing to stop Thuram’s perfectly-timed header.
Still unbeaten, Lyon moved within four points of leader Paris Saint-Germain.
