Fofana seals it as Lyon punish wasteful Toulouse in Ligue 1 opener

For long stretches, Lyon were second best. Toulouse started brighter, created the clearer openings and looked much more likely to take control, only to waste their chances and get punished late by a side that found quality when it mattered.

Match highlight

Toulouse, who had been unbeaten in each of their last 5 Ligue 1 opening games, immediately showed intent. Last season's top scorer Yann Gboho fired over after a fast break, and Julian Vignolo soon dragged another chance wide after being picked out well.

Vignolo then went even closer when his effort hit the post and deflected away, before club-record signing Thomas Jorgensen saw a shot cleared off the line. Lyon offered very little in response before the break, with Kail Boudache's curling effort drifting wide their only real threat of note.

At half-time, 0-0 probably suited them more than it should have.

Rasmus Nicolaisen headed over for Toulouse, Boudache missed the target again from the edge of the area, and Jorgensen then produced a dazzling run that sent defenders scrambling before wasting the finish.

There was plenty of good approach play, plenty of encouraging movement, but not enough composure at the decisive point. Against a team of Lyon's level, that tends to come back and hurt you.

Lyon survived the pressure and then took the lead with their first shot on target. Substitute Pavel Sulc fed Noah Nartey on the edge of the box, and the midfielder struck first time into the bottom corner with real quality.

Toulouse had spent so much energy trying to force the breakthrough themselves, only to watch Lyon steal it in 1 sharp moment. From there, the visitors suddenly looked more comfortable.

Another substitute, Malick Fofana, curled a lovely finish into the far corner after being found by the experienced Corentin Tolisso, turning a tense match into a much calmer final few minutes for Les Gones.

That was enough to send Toulouse into the new era of Jens Berthel Askou with a defeat, despite the hosts having been unbeaten in their final 4 games of the 2025-26 season.

This was Toulouse's first Ligue 1 opening-day loss in 19 seasons, after a run of 14 wins and 4 draws, although facing a side that finished 4th last term was always going to be a brutal way to start.

For Lyon, the result should at least lift confidence before their Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce next week, with the tie currently level at 1-1.