Spoils shared as Betis and Lyon begin with draw

In an encounter of few chances, both Olympique Lyonnais and Real Betis Balompié could have snatched all three points late on but settled for an opening draw in Group I.

Nosa struck the post for the home side in a tight game, while Alexandre Lacazette and Cedric squandered gilt-edged opportunities to win it for their respective sides, meaning Vitória SC – whom Lyon entertain on 3 October – take an early two-point advantage in the section.

In front of a Benito Villamarín crowd delighting in their first European campaign since 2005/06, Betis were nearly caught cold as Lyon forward Bafétimbi Gomis used his considerable strength to carve an opening which Samuel Umtiti blazed over. Lacazette then stung the palms of Betis No1 Stephan Andersen with an acrobatic volley, and attacking midfielder Clément Grenier sent a dipping free-kick just over.

Los Verdiblancos soon picked up the pace and Pepe Mel's charges began to exert control. The pace of Congolese wide-man Cedric proved particularly threatening, and the winger ended one lightning run by forcing a fine close-range stop from Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes.

Lopes also denied Chuli on 52 minutes, before the visitors' best chance went begging as Damien Perquis blocked Umtiti's header from close range. Back came Betis with a flowing move of their own, Nigerian midfielder Nosa making space with a delightful flick before clipping a shot onto the outside of the post. That would prove the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock, despite individual pace and skill granting both Lacazette and Cedric late attempts to snatch the spoils.