Football
Reuters 19y

Soccer-Lyon crush weakened Real 3-0 in stylish opener

LYON, France, Sept 13 - Olympique Lyon opened
their Champions League campaign in style with a 3-0 victory over
a weakened Real Madrid in a lively Group F match on Tuesday.

Three first-half goals in quick succession enabled the
four-times French champions to shock the nine-times European
champions and strongly suggest they could make an impact in
Europe at last after leaving the showcase club competition in
the quarter-finals the last two seasons.

Lyon's task was made easier by the fact that Real, making
yet another sluggish start to the season, were missing France
playmaker Zinedine Zidane and Brazil striker Ronaldo through
injury and suspension respectively.
Norway striker John Carew opened the scoring against the run
of play on 21 minutes when he surprised Real Madrid goalkeeper
Iker Casillas by deflecting a Juninho free kick with a header.

Brazilian midfielder Juninho needed no help to double the
advantage from another free kick from nearly 30 metres out five
minutes later.

France forward Sylvain Wiltord effectively made it 3-0 with
a magnificent volley from a pass by defender Anthony Reveillere
after 31 minutes.

Real, who looked the most active side until Lyon opened the
scoring and kept trying after that. But paid a heavy price for
nervous defending and escaped further punishment when Casillas
brilliantly saved a Juninho penalty after 42 minutes.

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