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LYON, France, Nov 1 - A first-half goal by striker
Karim Benzema handed Olympique Lyon a 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev
and a place in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday. The French champions have a maximum 12 points and, with just
two matches left in the group, are guaranteed to finish in the
first two places in Group E. Top spot may be decided on Nov. 21 when Lyon, still unbeaten
in all competitions this season, visit Real Madrid who have six
points and also qualified with a 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest. After four consecutive defeats Kiev are bottom and have only
a very slim chance of finishing above Steaua, who have three
points, to finish third and qualify for the UEFA Cup. Lyon sealed their 14th successive win in all competitions
thanks to a goal by young forward Benzema after 14 minutes. Winger Sidney Gouvou outmanoeuvred two defenders to set up
Benzema, who beat goalkeeper Olexander Shovkovsky with a
powerful left foot shot. In the second half, Kiev came close to levelling the scores
through Artem Milevsky but he missed the target from inside the
box. Lyon keeper Gregory Coupet, back from a hand injury,
preserved Lyon's lead when he kept out a close-range header by
number nine Kleber with 10 minutes to go.
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