Pep Guardiola was forced to watch the Group F opener from his lofty perch in the stands due to a touchline ban, and while City were largely dominant, Lyon’s dynamism in attack caused problems and they ultimately managed to hang on.

City controlled possession, but two errors from Fernandinho allowed Lyon to punish them, with Fekir and Cornet giving Bruno Genesio’s men a shock – albeit deserved – 2-0 lead at half-time.

Leroy Sane’s entrance made a difference and he swiftly set up Bernardo Silva to pull one back, but Lyon dug deep and held off City’s late onslaught to secure a famous victory.

City had no problem establishing control and went close 16 minutes in, but Aymeric Laporte’s header from a tight angle came back off the post.

Lyon capitalised 10 minutes later – Cornet supplying a cool finish into the bottom-left corner after Fabian Delph missed Fekir’s cross.

City should have been given the chance to level from the spot in the 40th minute when Rafael da Silva tripped Gabriel Jesus, but the referee ignored protests and Lyon stunned their hosts again shortly after.

Fekir held off two defenders and then drilled an effort into the bottom-right corner from 20 yards.

City introduced Sane from the bench in the 55th minute to boost their impetus, but a few moments later they had a lucky escape – former Manchester United man Memphis Depay hitting the post from just outside the area.

Sane soon inspired City to get one back, pulling a pass back for Silva to guide home, but it was not enough and Lyon claimed the points.

What it means: Mortal City with it all to do

City were billed as favourites for this season’s competition given their Premier League heroics last term, but they have come unstuck on day one. Lyon were hardly in immense form and failed to beat Caen at the weekend, but their vibrant attacking players caused issues and worried City. Other teams might just look at this with encouragement, while City are left with an uphill struggle already.

Pat on the back: Fired-up Fekir

Fekir could have been a regular foe for City had his pre-season move to Liverpool materialised. He ended up staying, but almost appeared eager to prove a point. He was powerful, driven and tricky in attack, while he also worked hard. His goal was a just reward.

Boot up the backside: Feeble Fernandinho

City’s Brazil midfielder Fernandinho coughed up possession in the build-up to Lyon’s first goal, and then did exactly the same under pressure from Fekir for their second. None of his team-mates were as culpable.

What’s next?

City return to Premier League action on Saturday, travelling to promoted Cardiff City. Meanwhile Lyon take on bitter rivals Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with Genesio’s men drawing 2-2 with Caen last time out.

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Fekir, who is currently on World Cup duty with France, has caught the eye of several big clubs after an outstanding season with Lyon where he scored 21 goals in all competitions.

READ: Calderon warns Real Madrid against Ronaldo sale

The 24-year-old was reportedly set to sign for Liverpool earlier in the transfer window, but a mysterious issue with the playmaker’s medical led the French club to release a statement saying the move was off.

Real Madrid have also since registered their interest in the player, but Aulas thinks Fekir will now stay in Lyon for at least another season.

‘Nabil will, I think, be in at Lyon next season,’ Aulas told RMC Sport.

READ MORE: Ibrahimovic: Every Sweden player should get a Golden Ball

‘I have almost a father-son relationship with my players. I gave him the opportunity to go to Liverpool because it was his dream club.

‘I did the same with Tolisso and Umtiti. He [Fekir] is our captain and it’s the coach’s wish to keep him.’

READ MORE: England advance to World Cup semi-finals

Fekir’s France are currently preparing for a World Cup semi-final showdown with Belgium on Tuesday.

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The 24-year-old forward was on the verge of completing a transfer to Liverpool when Lyon pulled out of the deal but speculation around Fekir’s future continues to circulate.

READ: Vardy to have groin injury assessed

Real Madrid have been linked with the France star, who played from the substitutes’ bench in each of Les Bleus’ first four matches at the World Cup, and Genesio sounded resigned to losing him at Lyon’s first news conference ahead of the 2018-19 season.

‘He wanted to leave to go to a bigger club than Lyon and he had that opportunity with Liverpool,’ Genesio told reporters.

‘But knowing the situation today, I think he considers all the solutions. If he has an offer from a very big European club, of course, he will chase the opportunity. But once again the clubs have to get along, because there are always three parties in this negotiation.

‘Having said that, I think that if the situation has to remain the way it is, well he is in Lyon, he is our captain, he plays in the Champions League, he is decisive. Despite his injury, he played his best this season for me so the situation isn’t terrible.’

Genesio was asked about former Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso, who is set to line up for France in their World Cup quarter-final in the absence of the suspended Blaise Matuidi.

READ MORE: Cavani, Mbappe lead WC Team of the Round

Tolisso came through the youth ranks at Lyon before joining German champions Bayern Munich in 2017 and his former coach backed the 23-year-old to deliver for Didier Deschamps, if called upon.

‘Coco is perfectly able to replace Blaise Matuidi,’ said Genesio. ‘Tolisso can play absolutely everywhere on the pitch, I have used him everywhere. Of course, it is good to have one position where you are best but Corentin can play everywhere and I think he will be perfectly able to replace Matuidi.

READ MORE: The year of the underdog?

‘He improved a lot in his ability to manage his emotions. If you take the game against Australia, it was his first ever World Cup game. He was stressed, which is understandable. But now he is well settled in the tournament so there won’t be any issue on that matter.’

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France had already qualified and Denmark needed a point to be certain, although a 2-0 win for already eliminated Peru against Australia sent them through regardless of their result.

Didier Deschamps, marking his 79th game in charge to level Raymond Domenech’s France record, rested key players such as Paul Pogba and Hugo Lloris and kept Kylian Mbappe on the bench for the majority of the game with an eye on their knockout campaign.

Deschamps’ six changes contributed to a lack of cohesion that prevented France from ending the group stage with maximum points for the first time since they won the tournament in 1998, Antoine Griezmann struggling to link with partner Olivier Giroud.

After topping Group C thanks to a dull draw, France are on track to face Argentina in the first knockout round if Lionel Messi can inspire his side to victory against Nigeria, who occupy second spot in Group D.

Denmark – likely to face Croatia next – rarely threatened and appeared happy with a 0-0 draw that sends them into the knockout stages for the first time since 2002, with Tottenham star Christian Eriksen providing their greatest threat in front of goal.

Giroud and Raphael Varane sent early efforts off target as news of a Peru goal in Sochi reduced the pressure on Denmark.
Ousmane Dembele bent a presentable opportunity wide as a low-tempo match continued to await a shot on target.

And when it finally arrived in the 38th minute the strike from Griezmann was straight at Kasper Schmeichel and easily dealt with by the Leicester City goalkeeper.

Griezmann set up Giroud, but a late offside flag spared the blushes of the striker – scorer of Les Bleus’ last three goals against Denmark – after he blazed over the crossbar.

Steve Mandanda became France’s oldest World Cup debutant and the goalkeeper almost cost his side, spilling a long-range Eriksen free-kick before recovering to claim the loose ball ahead of lurking striker Andreas Cornelius.

Eriksen drilled wide in the 59th minute as Age Hareide’s side took control of the contest, although France substitute Nabil Fekir rippled the side-netting with an ambitious drive shortly after his introduction for lacklustre Griezmann.

Fekir forced a smart stop from Schmeichel in the 82nd minute, while Giroud had a late penalty appeal rejected by referee Sandro Meira Ricci.

ALSO READ: Portugal, Spain advance to last 16

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ALSO READ: Messi and the other side to being great

Photo: Getty Images

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France forward Fekir has long been linked with a big-money move to Anfield and enjoyed a stellar campaign in France’s top flight this season – scoring 18 goals and supplying a further eight assists.

Lyon issued a statement on Friday to dismiss reports the 24-year-old was on the verge of signing for Jurgen Klopp’s Champions League finalists.

Fekir is part of France’s squad for the 2018 World Cup and on Saturday, French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet claimed he had undergone a Liverpool medical at Les Bleus’ Clairefontaine training base.

However, the saga has now taken another and seemingly final twist.

‘Olympique Lyonnais informs that the tripartite negotiations with Liverpool and Nabil Fekir for the transfer of the captain of OL have not succeeded and that Olympique Lyonnais has decided to put an end to this negotiation,’ read a statement on the club’s official website.

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USA caretaker boss Dave Sarachan saw his side absorb waves of pressure for most of the first half but one-time Bayern Munich forward Julian Green – who spent last season on loan with 2.Bundesliga strugglers Greuther Furth – capitalised on dismal defensive work to break the deadlock in the 44th minute.

After that setback, Les Bleus’ attacks became ever more lumpen and predictable, and Deschamps has plenty to ponder despite Mbappe finding the goal his personal endeavours deserved with 12 minutes to go.

Triumphant 1998 World Cup coach Aime Jacquet did much to contribute to a raucous early atmosphere at the Groupama Stadium and Paul Pogba rattled the upright early on.

But the boos endured by Pogba during the 3-1 win over Italy last time out were dealt out to the collective on this occasion, with France’s current crop looking some way short of the exploits of Jacquet and Deschamps the player.

Local hero Nabil Fekir began on the bench an hour after his purported move to Liverpool broke down, while Pogba saw a rasping fifth-minute drive tipped against the post by Zack Steffen.

Olivier Giroud then headed too close to Steffen as the United States’ right channel proved a productive attacking area for the hosts.

That was where Antoine Griezmann scampered on to Mbappe’s impish pass and spun a shot wide in the 22nd minute.

Blaise Matuidi made hay in the space behind wing-back Shaquell Moore once again but Tim Parker did just enough to prevent Mbappe from turning home.

Griezmann curled beyond the bottom corner as a Mexican wave began to churn around the stadium and the heavily shellacked visitors remarkably went in ahead at half-time.

Moore sprung forward, escaping his torrid defensive duties, and Djibril Sidibe made a terrible hash of clearing his testing cross, with Green squeezing the loose ball past Hugo Lloris at the near post.

Moore and Green combined to find the net again early in the second half but the goalscorer was correctly ruled offside.

Steffen inadvertently caused chaos inside his own box in the 56th minute – the goalkeeper’s robust challenge for a corner leaving both Giroud and USA centre-back Matt Miazga with bloodied heads to force substitutions.

The introduction of Ousmane Dembele in place of the Chelsea striker underlined the vast attacking riches at Deschamps’ disposal – making it all the more damning that his much-vaunted assortment appeared to run out of ideas as the second half progressed.

Pogba’s earlier verve made way for increasingly pedestrian and hopeful long-range attempts, but belatedly changing the angle of the attack paid dividends 12 minutes from time.

Benjamin Pavard, introduced for the previously culpable Sidibe four minutes earlier, found space down the right and steered in a low cross for Mbappe to stroke home.

Fekir came on and almost brought the house down with a trademark free-kick but Steffen excelled himself once more, before a double save in stoppage-time from Fekir and Dembele marked a stunning finale for the imperious Columbus Crew man.

C’est terminé sur le score d’1-1 ! @KMbappe est le buteur ce soir #FRAUSA pic.twitter.com/hsGA2he9Yk

— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) June 9, 2018

Appreciate you, @zackstef_23 😅 pic.twitter.com/50YMRuiZwm

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) June 9, 2018

Photo: Backpagepix

The post France held by USA in Lyon appeared first on SportsClub.

Nabil Fekir’s agent has confirmed Liverpool’s interest in the Lyon captain but says a deal is yet to be struck for the France international.

The Frenchmen scored 18 league goals last season as Lyon finished third in Ligue 1 behind Monaco and runaway champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The 24-year-old’s impressive form has been noticed by a number of clubs, including Liverpool, but discussions between club and player are yet to take place, according to Fekir’s agent Jean-Pierre Bernes.

‘Talks with Liverpool will only happen when there is an agreement with Lyon and Jean-Michel Aulas gives the green light,’ he told French outlet Le Progres.

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Fabinho, 24, makes the move to Anfield for a reported €50-million, after agreeing to a long-term deal.

The versatile midfielder and defender said he spoke to Firmino – who enjoyed a stellar campaign for Liverpool, scoring 27 goals – before opting to make the switch.

‘We spoke a bit more about how the city was, about the infrastructure of the club, and we also spoke about the coaches and how they do their work,’ Fabinho told the club’s website.

‘So I was able to know a bit more about Liverpool through Firmino. I had been with him at the Brazilian national team on a few occasions.

‘I know he’s a fantastic person, his background is from nice people. He is also very good for someone who comes to a new country, a new city – someone who speaks the same language.

‘This will of course make the adaptation much easier.’

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp spoke of his excitement about Fabinho’s versatility after the signing was confirmed.

Fabinho – who helped Monaco win the Ligue 1 title in 2016-17 – hopes he can adapt to the demands of the Premier League.

‘I believe I am a player that can organise the game well for my team. I play with a lot of intensity and I’m quite strong in man-marking,’ he said.

‘Unfortunately, occasionally I get some yellow cards for that but I think that won’t be a problem here.

‘Hopefully, I will have no difficulty in adapting to this type of football. I know that the type of football here is quite intense and physical but I think I got some of that while playing in France and I hope I won’t find any problems to adapt to this league.’

-This story originally appeared on FourFourTwo.co.za

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Reports emerged during Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday that the Merseyside club will sign the attacking midfielder for €70-million (£62m) in the upcoming transfer window, after the French forward netted 22 goals in all competitions for Lyon this term.

However, Klopp was quick to dismiss the possibility of the rumours being true, although he did not deny interest in the player.

‘During the game, we agreed to a deal? I would be surprised about that, to be honest. No comment,’ Klopp told reporters.

‘I never comment on transfer rumours. I’ve said more than I usually say.’

Lyon president Aulas stated that no discussions took place and expressed his desire to keep Fekir for next season.

‘We have had no contact with Liverpool [on Sunday]. Fekir is here,’ Aulas said after Lyon’s 3-0 victory over Troyes.

‘We hope to keep him and have him playing the Champions League with us next year.’

Fekir offered a similar response to questions about his future, saying: ‘We discussed some things after Moscow [the elimination from the Europa League in March] and managed to straighten things out.

‘I am still in Lyon. We still have two games left [this season]. I am good here. This club is in my heart.’

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