The Stade Saint-Symphorien witnessed a wild Ligue 1 afternoon on 25 January 2026 as Lyon dismantled Metz 5–2, a result that underlined the gulf between a side chasing the Champions League and one mired in relegation trouble. Paulo Fonseca’s team raced into a 4–1 half-time lead and never looked seriously threatened, despite a spirited second-half response from Stephane Le Mignan’s hosts. The win consolidates Lyon’s position in the top four, while Metz remain rooted to the bottom, their goal difference and defensive frailty again brutally exposed.
First-half analysis
Lyon imposed themselves on the scoreboard with ruthless efficiency rather than territorial dominance. Endrick opened the floodgates on 11', finishing after combining with C. Tolisso. Five minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead: defender R. Kluivert made it 2–0 on 16', profiting from work by K. Merah to leave Metz reeling.
Metz briefly steadied but were punished again on 32', when T. Morton struck Lyon’s third, a blow that reflected Lyon’s clinical edge rather than a sustained siege. Le Mignan’s side found a lifeline almost immediately: on 34', right-back K. Kouao pulled one back to make it 3–1, hinting at a possible contest.
Any hope of a full comeback before the interval was, however, snuffed out right on the stroke of half-time. On 45', Endrick struck again, his second of the game, with Morton this time involved in the build-up. Lyon went into the break 4–1 ahead, having turned almost every serious opening into a goal.
Second half & tactical shifts
Fonseca’s first adjustment came instantly after the restart. At 46', he withdrew C. Tolisso and introduced defender M. Niakhate, a clear move to solidify Lyon’s structure with a three-goal cushion. That defensive tweak underlined Lyon’s intention to manage the game rather than chase further chaos.
Le Mignan responded with a triple substitution on 62', an aggressive attempt to change the game’s rhythm. Defender T. Yegbe made way for U. Mboula, midfielder A. Toure was replaced by the more experienced B. Stambouli, and J. Deminguet came off for B. Munongo. With fresh legs in midfield and defence, Metz sought greater control and verticality.
The changes paid a quick dividend. On 64', H. Diallo reduced the deficit to 4–2, finishing after being supplied by Kouao, who added an assist to his earlier goal. For a brief spell, Metz had momentum, though they still trailed by two. The home side’s aggression showed in discipline too: at 72', Kouao was booked for a foul, the only yellow card of the match.
Fonseca reacted on 74', taking off forward K. Merah and introducing midfielder M. de Carvalho, another sign of game management and a shift towards reinforcing the centre of the pitch. Metz kept pushing, and Le Mignan added more attacking intent on 78' when full-back M. Colin was replaced by forward G. Abuashvili, a clear attacking gamble that effectively reshaped Metz into a more front-loaded side.
Any faint hopes of a dramatic finale were extinguished on 87'. Endrick completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, restoring a three-goal margin at 5–2 and underlining his dominance of the scoreline. Even after that, Metz continued to rotate their frontline, with G. Hein leaving on 88' for I. Sane. In stoppage time, Fonseca used his comfortable lead to give minutes to his bench: Endrick departed on 90+2', replaced by A. Hamdani, and A. Moreira made way for R. Himbert at the same moment, ensuring Lyon finished with fresh energy across the front line.
Statistical deep dive
The numbers tell a nuanced story. Metz actually controlled 53% of the ball and completed more passes (472 to Lyon’s 431), with a higher pass accuracy (86% versus 82%). They were not overrun in possession; instead, Lyon accepted a slightly more reactive role and focused on vertical, incisive attacks.
In terms of attacking output, Metz registered more total shots (15 to 13) but Lyon were far more efficient. The visitors hit the target 10 times from 13 attempts, compared to Metz’s 6 from 15. Expected goals underline that difference in chance quality: Lyon’s xG of 2.55 comfortably exceeded Metz’s 1.28, and Fonseca’s side essentially finished to and beyond expectation, turning those chances into five goals. Both goalkeepers’ “goals prevented” figures were at 0, suggesting the scoreline broadly matched the quality of opportunities created.
Discipline and duels also framed the encounter. Metz committed twice as many fouls (10 to 5) and picked up the only yellow card, indicating a home side often on the back foot defensively and forced into riskier challenges. Corners (6–4 to Metz) and offsides (4–2 against Metz) reflect their attempts to push high and chase the game, but Lyon’s compactness and precision in transition proved decisive.
Standings & implications
For Metz, the damage in the table is stark. They stay 18th on 12 points after 19 matches, with a grim goal difference of -24 (21 scored, 45 conceded) and a form line that now reads LDLLL. Their home record (2 wins, 2 draws, 5 defeats, 9–15 in goals) underlines why they remain firmly in the relegation zone.
Lyon, by contrast, strengthen their grip on fourth place. They move to 36 points, with a goal difference of +12 (32 for, 20 against) after 19 games, and a strong overall record of 11 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats. With four away wins and 16 goals scored on the road, Fonseca’s side look every inch a serious contender for Champions League qualification.
