Zenit keeps Champions League hopes alive with win over Lyon
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Artem Dzyuba and Magomed Ozdoev scored a goal each in a scrappy Champions League game to secure a 2-0 win for Zenit St. Petersburg over Lyon on Wednesday as the Russian side moved level on points with the seven-time French champions in a tight Group G.
Zenit took the lead in the 42nd minute Dzyuba shook off a poor challenge from Marcelo to head the ball past goalkeeper Anthony Lopes from Douglas Santos’ corner.
Lyon dominated possession after the break but struggled to create dangerous attacking moves. Zenit had the best chances in a subdued second half as forward Sebastien Driussi forced Lopes to a spectacular diving save in the 71st minute before Ozdoev scored his first Champions League goal with a shot from outside the box that took a deflection and wrongfooted the goalkeeper.
With freezing temperatures and snow in Saint Petersburg, the game was played below the stadium’s roof in perfect conditions.
Lyon and Zenit are two points behind group leader RB Leipzig, which only needed to avoid a loss against Benfica later Wednesday to qualify for the knockout phase.
