Olympique de Lyon took a decisive step toward European qualification with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Le Havre at the Groupama Stadium. In a match corresponding to Round 16 of Ligue 1, the team led by Paulo Fonseca leaned on standout performances from Dominik Greif and Pavel Sulc to secure three vital points in a season defined by inconsistency.

Greif Keeps Lyon Alive at a Critical Moment

The game could have taken a very different turn before halftime, when Le Havre were awarded a penalty that represented the visitors’ clearest chance of the night. In the 38th minute, Issa Soumare stepped up to the spot, but Slovak goalkeeper Dominik Greif, formerly of Mallorca, guessed correctly and produced a crucial save to deny the opener.

That intervention not only preserved the scoreline but also injected confidence into a Lyon side that had suffered a recent setback away to Lorient and had managed just one win in its previous four matches. Greif’s save proved decisive, allowing the hosts to head into the break level and firmly in the contest.

Sulc Delivers the Goal and Lyon Climbs the Standings

The breakthrough arrived early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Czech midfielder Pavel Sulc rose inside the box to head home a pinpoint cross from Alonso Moreira, scoring the only goal of the match. The strike sparked celebrations in the stands and highlighted Sulc’s growing influence within Fonseca’s tactical setup.

From that moment on, Lyon managed the game with composure, closing down spaces and protecting the lead with discipline. The collective effort paid off, as the final whistle confirmed a win that lifts the club into fifth place in the standings—just two points behind Olympique de Marseille and Lille, who sit third and fourth respectively, in a league still dominated by Paris Saint-Germain.

For Le Havre, the outlook remains concerning. The club has now gone six consecutive matches without a victory and finds itself hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone, just three points clear of Auxerre, who currently mark the drop.

With this result, Olympique de Lyon regain momentum and reinforce their status as genuine contenders for European qualification, driven by decisive contributions from Greif between the posts and Sulc in attack.