Ligue 1: Lyon edge Ajaccio in opening game of new French season

Brazilian Tete and returning striker Alexandre Lacazette scored early to set up Olympique Lyonnais for a 2-1 home win over promoted AC Ajaccio as both teams finished the first half with 10 men in the opening game of the Ligue 1 campaign on Friday.

⏭️ Next stop, Lorient! ⏭️#OLACA

📸 @lubodomo pic.twitter.com/c2CpFxCWbi

— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) August 5, 2022

🏠 @GroupamaStadium vibes 👊

📸 @lubodomo#OLACA pic.twitter.com/WR5YPFKCuW

— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) August 5, 2022

Lyon, hoping for a major improvement after a disappointing eighth-place finish last season, got off to a bright start with a 12th minute goal from Tete, set up by Lacazette who then added a second from the penalty spot 10 minutes later.

Former Lyon favourite Lacazette was back in Lyon colours after signing from Arsenal.

🔝 Three points and we’re top of @Ligue1_ENG (for now) 😜 thanks to goals from @LacazetteAlex and Tetê!#OLACA pic.twitter.com/pMhlQjc6c4

— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) August 5, 2022

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But the hosts side were down to 10 men before the half-hour mark when goalkeeper Anthony Lopes was dismissed for a dangerous tackle and Thomas Mangani pulled one back for the Corsican club from the resultant spot kick.

However, Ajaccio’s one-man advantage lasted only until just before halftime when Romain Hamouma was sent off for a second cautionable offence.