Luyindula uses head to lift Lyon

By Pete Sanderson in Lyon

An 88th-minute header from Péguy Luyindula rescued a share of the spoils for Olympique Lyonnais in an enthralling UEFA Champions League Group A encounter against FC Bayern München.

Makaay strike
Roy Makaay's goal midway through the first half had looked likely to be enough for the German champions, who were under pressure from start to finish - but they buckled at the last.

French rhythm
Bayern did their best to dictate the early pace, but Lyon soon found their rhythm with Juninho Pernambucano carving out the game's first real opening in the sixth minute. The Brazilian danced past Sebastian Deisler on the left before unleashing a low shot from 20 metres which fizzed wide of Oliver Kahn's upright to safety.

Bayern panic
Two minutes later it was Juninho again causing panic in the Bayern box but, like Patrick Muller's follow-up shot, Sidney Govou's ambitious bicycle kick from his inswinging corner was bravely blocked by Robert Kovac.

No impact
By this point Bayern, yet to muster a shot on goal, were struggling to get into the game and had Juninho's shot been as dazzling as his 50-metre surge upfield, in which he beat four players, Lyon would have been celebrating the opening goal.

Ballack effort
Having survived the early onslaught, Bayern, who had set out from the start to attack on the counter, registered their first effort on goal from long range courtesy of Michael Ballack, which was pushed wide of the post by Grégory Coupet.

Opening goal
It was a sign of things to come as Ottmar Hitzfeld's side exposed Lyon's defensive vulnerability in the 26th minute. With Lyon regrouping after another attack, Brazilian Zé Roberto picked up the ball and raced down the right. His perfect centre found Makaay in plenty of space in the Lyon area and the Dutch striker made no mistake, stroking the ball past the helpless Coupet to score his third Champions League goal this season.

Missed opportunities
The flamboyant Juninho proved he was human after all, wasting two great chances to go into the break on level terms - and there was no let up for the visitors after half-time as Lyon continued to press forward in search of an equaliser.

Brave Lyon
For all Lyon's endeavour and, at times, delightfully flowing football, the more the match went on the less they looked like scoring. Hitzfeld, who introduced Jens Jeremies in the second half to counter the threat of Juninho, was winning the tactical battle with Paul Le Guen by a considerable distance.

Woodwork woe
As Lyon tired, Bayern had the chance to put the French champions out of their misery in the 68th minute but Makaay's shot from a Roque Santa Cruz centre came back off the post and bobbled to safety.

Tactical move
Le Guen threw on Luyindula and Eric Carrière in a last-ditch bid to rescue the game - and perhaps even Lyon's Champions League dreams. The initial signs were good - Juninho exchanged passes with Luyindula on the edge of the box before pulling the ball back for Essien but his goalbound shot deflected harmlessly wide.

Luyindula leveller
Carriére and Elber both had chances to earn Lyon a point before, with the clock ticking down, Juninho's corner was headed in by Luyindula to send the Stade Gerland crowd into ecstasy.