UCL: Lyon Stun Juventus, Man City Oust Real Madrid To Reach Quarterfinal

TURIN, ITALY - AUGUST 25: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus reacts to a missed chance during the Serie A match between Juventus and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

French side Olympique Lyon survived a Cristiano Ronaldo double to stun Italian Champions Juventus in Turin to progress to the quarterfinal of the Champions League on away goals.

Lyon led 1-0 from the first leg in February and travelled to Italy having played just one competitive game – a loss on penalties to PSG in the French League Cup – since Ligue 1 ended prematurely in April.

Any nerves the French side harboured about facing the recently crowned Serie A Champions in Turin quickly dissipated when they were awarded a soft penalty which was converted Panenka-style by Memphis Depay.

Juve may have won a ninth straight domestic title, but they have been far from convincing since the restart and now needed three goals to make the quarterfinals.

Ronaldo got them level when he dispatched a penalty of his own and thundered in an effort from outside the box for his 130th Champions League goal but Lyon held on to oust the Old Lady.

Juve have not won the Champions League since 1996 and the wait goes on at least another year and it is not at all certain that manager Maurizio Sarri, will still be in his position next season.

Lyon will take on Manchester City in the quarter-final in a one-game straight knockout in Lisbon after the English side turned in a superb display to knock record winners Real Madrid out of the competition.

City held a healthy 2-1 lead from the first leg in Spain in February and completed the job by deservedly overcoming the Spanish Champions and handing Zinedine Zidane his first-ever elimination from the Champions League after winning the tournament three times.

Real defender Raphael Varane endured a nightmarish game and was at fault for both City’s goals having found it difficult to cope with the pressing of Gabriel Jesus in particular.

The Brazilian robbed Varane to set up Raheem Sterling in the ninth minute but Karim Benzema equalised with a well-placed header before half-time to set up the possibility of a tense second period.

Real were missing the leadership and nous of their suspended captain Sergio Ramos, suspended after being sent off in the first leg and it showed.

Without Ramos alongside him, Varane made another error when his headed back-pass fell short of Thibaut Courtois to allow the lurking Gabriel Jesus to pounce in the game’s decisive moment after 68 minutes and send a statement of intent from Pep Guardiola’s side.