Sparta Prague 2-1 Lyon

Despite trailing at half-time, Sparta Prague defeated Lyon 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League third-round qualifying tie on Tuesday. Corentin Tolisso was left to rue his missed penalty as Lyon fell to defeat at the epet ARENA.

Matej Rynes starred in the second half for the hosts, scoring the leveller before assisting John Mercado's winner either side of Tolisso's skied penalty. The result gives Sparta a slender advantage ahead of the return leg at the Groupama Stadium on August 11.

How the drama unfolded

The hosts thought they had taken the lead after 20 minutes when Jonatan Braut Brunes managed to find a way past Dominik Greif in the Lyon goal, but the strike was ruled out for offside in the build-up. Mercado then squandered a huge chance closer to half-time, inexplicably firing over from six yards out.

Lyon managed to enter the break with a 1-0 lead after Martin Suchomel's attempted tackle on Tolisso sent the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Both sides pushed hard early in the second half, with Tolisso forcing a strong save at the near post from Jakub Surovcik before Josimar Alcocer saw a goal disallowed for offside in the 57th minute.

Sparta finally levelled just after the hour as Andy Irving's lofted pass into the box was driven low past Greif by Rynes — a goal that triggered an eventful six-minute spell that decided the tie.

At the other end, Lyon debutant Lois Openda won a penalty for the visitors, but Tolisso's spot-kick flew over the crossbar, and Sparta were ahead shortly after when Mercado headed in at the back post from Rynes' cross.

Rynes powers Sparta to victory

It was a deserved victory for Sparta, who produced 1.29 expected goals (xG) to Lyon's 1.28 — though the visitors' figure was inflated by Tolisso's penalty. Sparta created more big chances (three to one) and recorded more touches in the opposition box (23 to 15).

Rynes' determined display from left-back was the catalyst for the turnaround. He created the joint-most chances for his side (two), completed the most passes in the final third (20), won possession most often (nine) and completed the most final third entries (13) to go along with his goal and assist.

It was a disappointing debut for Openda, whose only shot in the contest was comfortably saved by Surovcik, though the story could have been different had Tolisso converted the penalty won by the Belgian.

With the second leg now looming at the Groupama Stadium on August 11, Paulo Fonseca's Lyon side are focused on staging a comeback of their own.