Olympique Lyonnais and OGC Nice scored a penalty apiece to draw 1-1 in Ligue 1, ending a 12-game run of H2Hs being played out between the two without ending level.
Backed by their vocal home support, Lyon enjoyed plenty of early possession but weren’t initially able to test Kasper Schmeichel as Jordan Lotomba and Jean-Clair Todibo made important interventions.
Despite losing Mario Lemina to injury, Nice grew into the game and Nicolas Pépé thought he’d opened the scoring for them when Gaëtan Laborde’s shot was deflected into his path, only to be denied by the offside flag.
The Ivorian’s initial spot kick was saved by Anthony Lopes who had come off his line, allowing Pépé to re-take it and coolly convert the opener.
Karim Benzema was back at Lyon to show his Ballon d’Or during the break, although Les Gones’ current crop initially continued to lack star quality when play resumed.
At the other end, Tagiafico’s strike deflected off Dante and completely wrongfooted Schmeichel on its way to hitting the post, although the Brazilian recovered superbly to reach the loose ball ahead of Alexandre Lacazette and clear.
The Lyon captain picked himself up to defiantly equalise from the spot, ensuring Les Gones have still lost just once at home this season.
