Racing Club de Strasbourg delivered one of the most memorable performances of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season on Saturday, defeating Olympique Lyonnais 3-1 at the Stade de la Meinau to bring a stunning end to Lyon's record-setting 13-game winning streak. Goals from Martial Godo, Diogo Moreira, and a late Joaquin Panichelli penalty sealed a thoroughly deserved victory for the Alsatians on Matchday 23, while Corentin Tolisso's second-half strike proved nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.
Lyon arrived in Strasbourg riding the longest winning run in the French top flight this season, a streak that had propelled them into strong contention for Champions League qualification. However, Gary O'Neil's well-organized hosts had other plans, pressing high from the opening whistle and denying Lyon the space to build from the back. The atmosphere inside the Meinau was electric, with the home supporters sensing an opportunity against a side that had appeared almost invincible in recent weeks.
The breakthrough arrived in the 37th minute when Martial Godo converted from close range to give Strasbourg a deserved lead. Diogo Moreira had provided a clever assist, threading the ball into the penalty area where Godo made no mistake with his finish. It was Godo's seventh league goal of the campaign, further cementing his reputation as one of the division's emerging talents. Strasbourg took their advantage into the break with Lyon having barely tested the home goalkeeper.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with Moreira himself getting on the scoresheet in the 52nd minute to double the advantage. The Brazilian winger capitalized on a defensive error to extend Strasbourg's lead and leave Lyon staring at their first league defeat in over three months. Tolisso pulled one back for the visitors in the 59th minute, converting a volley from a Roman Yaremchuk cross to give Lyon hope on what was remarkably their first shot on target. Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca received a yellow card for his protests from the technical area as frustration mounted.
Any hopes of a Lyon comeback were emphatically dashed in the 83rd minute when Panichelli stepped up to convert a penalty, his 13th Ligue 1 goal of the season, after a foul was awarded inside the box. The Argentine striker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and wheeled away in celebration as the Meinau erupted. The final score of 3-1 barely flattered the hosts, who had been the superior side for the vast majority of the contest.
The result carries significant implications for the Ligue 1 title race and the battle for European places. Lyon missed the opportunity to move eight points clear of fourth-placed Olympique de Marseille, their opponents in next week's crucial encounter. Meanwhile, Strasbourg climbed to seventh in the table, reigniting their own aspirations for European football next season after a three-game winless run had threatened to derail their campaign.
For Lyon, this defeat serves as a timely reminder that no winning streak lasts forever in football. Fonseca's side will need to regroup quickly with the visit of Marseille looming as a pivotal fixture in defining their season. Strasbourg, on the other hand, can savour a result that will live long in the memory of everyone who was inside the Meinau on this special Saturday evening in Alsace.
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