2 November 2006, by Sean Gillen

Invincible Lyon clock up another win

Lyon 1-0 Dynamo Kiev

Lyon maintained their 100% record in the Champions League and qualified for the knockout stages with a 1-0 home win over eliminated Dynamo Kiev at the Stade Gerland. Another goal from young sensation Karim Benzema early in the first half was enough for the French champions against a spirited Kiev side.

Tiago started the game for the French champions, and the Portuguese midfielder played the full 90 minutes as his side made it four wins from four in the competition, with no goals conceded.

19-year-old sensation, Benzema, got the winning goal shortly before the 15-minute mark. Sidney Govou found the youngster with a throughball, and Benzema coolly slotted past Alexander Shovkovsky.

Dynamo showed plenty of potential on the break, and Kleber and Milevski had chances for the away side, but the Ukrainians ultimately lacked the quality to take advantage of their opportunities.

Lyon manager Gerard Houllier was quick to praise his opponents after the match: “Today we needed to be at our best to win the match. The first half was astonishing for us, we could have scored two more,” said the former Liverpool manager.

“At the end of the match we had more problems and had to fight off Dynamo. They confirmed what I thought of them; they are a very dynamic team, very fast in attack and technically remarkable.”

“It was difficult for us defensively to stop them in attack. I’m happy to qualify as that was the goal at the start of the campaign. The difference from last year is that nobody has scored against us yet.”

Meanwhile, Dynamo boss Anatoli Demianenko was happy with his side: “We have learnt a lot tonight and have shown dignity,” he said. “During the first half our players were too nervous but in the second we played to the level I expect.”

“Lyon are one of the best teams in Europe and we have played a very good game. We will continue to fight in the group. I hope Lyon go as far as possible because it was a very nice experience to play against that team.”

With both Lyon and Real Madrid now qualified for the next stage, the two will now battle it out for top spot in the group. Lyon beat the Spaniards 2-0 in France on matchday 1, and visit the Bernabeu in three weeks’ time needing just a point to win the group, before entertaining Steaua Bucharest at home.

Lyon:
Coupet, Clerc, Abidal, Squilaci, Cris, Toulalan, Tiago, Juninho (Kallstrom, 79), Malouda, Govou (Diarra, 87), Benzema (Wiltord, 75)
Yellow Cards: Malouda (62)

Dynamo Kiev:
Shovkovsky, Gusev, Rodolfo, Gavrancic (Rodrigo, 48), Yussuf, Ed Kaddouri, Cernat (Belkevich, 77), Mikhalik, Rebrov (Shatskikh, 66), Milevski, Kleber
Yellow Cards: El Kaddouri (35), Gusev (68)

Goals:
[1-0] Benzema, 14