Lyon miss Champions League after Fenerbahce defeat

Lyon’s wait for a return to the Champions League will continue after Fenerbahce eliminated them in the qualifying play-off. The French club will instead enter the Europa League, alongside Marseille and Rennes, while the failure carries an estimated financial cost of almost €50 million.

The Turkish side won 2-1 at the Groupama Stadium in the second leg, following a draw in Istanbul a week earlier. Fenerbahce took control before half-time as Muriqi scored in the 24th minute and Brown added another four minutes later. Fofana pulled one back for Lyon in the 61st minute, but the hosts could not complete the recovery. Later efforts from Openda and Boudache were disallowed.

The defeat ends Lyon’s attempt to reach Europe’s leading club competition for the first time in six years. It also leaves the club facing the consequences of missing the Champions League during the final days of the transfer window. Fofana’s departure now appears increasingly likely after the elimination.

For Fenerbahce, the result ends a run of nine unsuccessful attempts to qualify for the competition. The Istanbul club will return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2008-09 season.