Tottenham Hotspur travelled to the Stade de Gerland this evening knowing that a draw would take them through to the last 16 of the Europa League.
Maxime Gonalons put Lyon in front in the first half, but the home side could not add to their lead before Moussa Dembele struck in the last minute.
Spurs now go on to face Inter Milan, who defeated CFR Cluj 5-0 on aggregate.
You can read how all the action unfolded below.
Good evening! Welcome to Sports Mole for live coverage of tonight's Europa League last-16 second leg between Lyon and Tottenham Hotspur.
SPURS: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Dembele, Parker, Lennon, Bale, Holtby; Adebayor
LYON: Vercoutre; Umtiti, Lovren, Bisevac, Reveillere; Gonalons, Fofana; Lisandro, Grenier, Lacazette; Gomis
There's no return for Hugo Lloris as Brad Friedel is called back for European duty, while Lewis Holtby starts in place of Clint Dempsey.
Arsenal might be taking a closer look at Maxime Gonalons tonight as he starts in midfield for the hosts. Powerhouse centre-forward Bafetimbi Gomis could prove to be a handful for the Spurs defence, while Alexandre Lacazette can also be brilliant on his day.
The first leg was lit up by three brilliant goals. Gareth Bale scored two excellent free kicks, while Samuel Umtiti lashed one into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Tottenham and Lyon met in the second round of the 1967-1968 European Cup Winners' Cup. Lyon won the first leg 1-0, but Spurs came back to win 4-3 at White Hart Lane. However, that meant the French side progressed on away goals.
Lyon have played 15 games against English opposition, with a record of three wins, six draws and six losses. They are also on a four-game winning streak at home in Europe, but have not won a home game against an English side since that game against Spurs over 46 years ago.
Spurs were runners-up to Lazio in Group J, while Lyon and Sparta Prague advanced from Group I at the expense of Athletic Bilbao. The winner faces a tie with either Inter Milan or CFR Cluj, who play in Romania this evening. The Nerazzurri currently lead 2-0 after the first leg at the San Siro.
You could just watch this all day, right?
There have been some ugly scenes in the French city in the lead up to this tie, reminiscent of those witnessed in Rome before Spurs played Lazio. Lyon have issued an apology for the incident, stating that the attackers do not represent their club. Some Spurs fans have now expressed their concerns about travelling to future European away games.
Scott Parker knows that Spurs have a difficult task on their hands tonight, but is confident of progressing. "We'll need to be at our best to get a result, but we've showed our quality away from home this season and we're hoping to put in another positive performance," he told the club's website.
Meanwhile, Les Gones president Jean-Michel Aulas told Radio Scoop: "A match-up like this has an air of the Champions League to it. It's a chance for Lyon to maintain our strong current form and it will be such an formidable occasion that I cannot imagine for an instant that we'll give up against these Brits!"
Lyon are currently second in Ligue 1, three points behind Paris Saint-Germain. Spurs are unbeaten in ten games and find themselves fourth in the Premier League. It should be an intriguing match up.
The teams are in the tunnel and are about to come onto the pitch. I think we could have a really good match on our hands here. I'm going with an exciting 1-1, which of course means that Spurs go through 3-2 on aggregate. But it could go either way.
Lyon get this game underway...
Lyon have started on the front foot. They have had all the possession so far, but there's been no indecisiveness in the Spurs ranks yet. Lyon have had two opportunities to deliver the ball into the box, but both times the danger has been cleared.
Spurs are enjoing their first little spell with the ball. Gareth Bale is receiving a few jeers, which I suppose are complimentary really.
Bale swings a free kick in from the left and Gallas gets his head to it, but the connection is a poor one and the ball balloons out for a goal kick.
Grenier delivers a free kick for Lacazette, but his downward header bounces into Friedel's arms. That was a half-decent opening for the hosts. Lacazette should have done better.
Assou-Ekotto gets into a tangle and Lacazette nearly pinches the ball from him in a vulnerable position. The Cameroonian is given a torrid time, but the referee deems Lacazette to have committed a foul in trying to win possession.
Spurs are trying to keep the ball now. The Stade de Gerland crowd are certainly vocal; there's a really good atmosphere.
GOAL! Lyon 1-0 Spurs (Gonalons)
What a ball in from Grenier! He whipped it in viciously from a free kick wide on the left, and Gonalons was allowed to steal in at the front post and head beyond Friedel. Not the best marking, and Bale turned his back on it. Spurs must score now if they are to progress.
Spurs have given away too many free kicks so far in positions where Lyon can put the ball into the box. Grenier's delivery has been excellent and Spurs will have to mindful of challenges in their final third.
Umtiti dazzles with some lovely skill on the left to get past Walker, who pulls him back. That causes the referee to reach for his notepad and the full-back is the first man to see yellow.
GOAL UPDATE! CFR Cluj 0-1 Inter Milan (Guarin)
It looks like whoever triumphs here at the Stade de Gerland will face Inter Milan in the next round.
Grenier has a brilliant right foot, his deliveries are wasted at the moment. Every time he puts the ball into the danger area, but Spurs have marked well - apart from the goal. Lyon are on top, but must take full advantage while they can.
A chance for Lisandro there, but he snatched at it. Lacazette got down the right and squared the ball for the Argentine, who dragged wide from 12 yards.
Spurs have seen enough of the ball, but they haven't really threatened. Lyon's defending has been well organised and they've not allowed any space in between defence and midfield.
Lacazette has asked a few questions of Spurs' defence. We've just had out first sight of Gareth Bale at full pelt, and he's managed to win a corner for the visitors.
Friedel is forced to make a save from Lacazette's volley, but the youngster didn't really catch it well enough. He hit it into the ground and the ball bounced into the American's arms.
Holtby's low drives comes back off the upright! He didn't actually catch all of the ball but it had Vercoutre beaten!
HALF TIME: Lyon 1-0 Spurs
Actually, replays show that Vercoutre actually got an all-important touch before the ball came back off the post. Brilliant save, in the end!
GOAL UPDATE! CFR Cluj 0-2 Inter Milan (Guarin)
Guarin scores his second of the game just before half time. The Nerazzurri are in full control in Romania. Meanwhile, Spurs have work to do if they are to set up a last-16 encounter. They are behind at the Stade de Gerland and the hosts have been the better team.
Spurs had 58% in the first 45 minutes, but did very little with it. The service into Adebayor wasn't really there, and when it was the striker couldn't hold the ball up effectively. He's not really worked that hard, either.
Spurs weren't really in the first half, but still could be on level terms at the break. Lewis Holtby's effort from around 20 yards out was touched onto the post by Vercourte.
The teams are back on the pitch and ready for the second half.
Spurs get the game back underway...
The visitors again pass the ball well enough, but there's no incisiveness. Lyon win the ball and break down field but Grenier's ball is just a yard too short for Lisandro and Gallas is able to get across.
A promising opportunity for Lyon turns into a chance for Spurs down the other end! The French side worked the ball well down the right, before Lisandro had the chance to shoot but delayed too long. Spurs broke fast and Adebayor swung the ball across for Bale, but the Welsh winger's side-footed volley went just wide.
Adebayor challenges Vercoutre for Assou-Ekotto's high hanging ball, but the French keeper wins the battle.
Big chance for Grenier! Brad Friedel had to be alert to stop him! The French midfielder showed lovely technique to bring the ball under control with his right before firing with his left, but he could only hit it straight at the American, who saved with his legs.
Lyon are definitely the team attacking with more purpose, although Spurs have improved from the first half. Not by much, mind. But it's early days yet. The should be level though. Bale will be disappointed with his miss.
Bale gets two bites at the cherry to delivers into the box from a corner, but both times Lyon deal with it without fuss.
Kyle Walker has to be careful after fouling Lisandro. He's already had a yellow and, although there was not much actual contract, he could become a victim of totting up.
Spurs have been very quiet tonight. Adebayor, Dembele, Lennon and even Bale have been unable to assert their influence. Lyon have defended as a unit and looked comfortable.
Promising opportunity for Lyon! Lisandro clipped the ball through for Gomis, but Friedel was quickly off his line. However, his clearance was a poor one and Lacazette picked up the piece. He tried to go round the American, but made a shocking dive. The referee doesn't award a penalty, but also doesn't book the youngster.
Adebayor helps the ball on from a throw in and has Vercoutre scrambling, but the ball drops onto the bar and away from danger. The goalkeeper was also forced to save from one of Bale's dipping free kicks. A few nervy moments for the hosts at the moment.
Bale has another pop from distance and Vercoutre punches with both hands and is grateful when the ball bounces up for him to catch at the second attempt. Spurs are beginning to push now and it's Bale who is dragging them on yet again.
Former Spurs midfielder Steed Malbranque is now on the pitch. He came on for Alexandre Lacazette, while Clint Dempsey is on for Aaron Lennon.
Gonalons has been decent tonight. He has sat in between defence and midfield, breaking up play. He just won the ball off Holtby as the German looked to run at the Lyon back line.
The hosts make a change as Rachid Ghezzal comes on for Lisandro, while Andre Villas-Boas also makes a switch with Gylfi Sigurdsson coming on for Emmanuel Adebayor.
Umtiti is shown a yellow card for time wasting. Lyon's primary focus seems to have shifted from attack to defence now, and Spurs are starting to put some pressure on.
Bale whips a left-footed free kick into the box and Dempsey attacks it with purpose, but his header is too high.
Spurs are really coming on strong now. Adebayor tries to weave his way through a couple of players before setting up Sigurdsson, but the Icelandic international wasn't expecting the pass. Apologies, I gave you some duff information earlier. It was Holtby who came off for Sigurdsson, not Adebayor.
Dempsey has a go from an ambitious distance which bounces harmlessly wide of Vercoutre's goal. The French side will love more attempts like that.
Good play by Grenier again, but Vertonghen is aware to the danger. The Frenchman skipped over one challenge before the ball was knocked away from him. He's been excellent tonight.
Bafetimbi Gomis is no longer on the field now as Remi Garde sends on Jimmy Briand, probably to try and inject a bit more pace into his attack and try to catch Spurs on the counter. Jake Livermore has just entered the fray as well to replace Scott Parker.
Spurs are struggling to break a stubborn Lyon down. The visitors have been the better team in the second half, but have not taken their chances. Gareth Bale has had the best opportunity for Andre Villas-Boas's men, volleying wide from Adebayor's cross.
The North Londoners have threatened in this half, but Lyon have stuck to their guns. They have just two minutes plus injury time to see out now. Spurs are showing some urgency.
GOAL! Lyon 1-1 Spurs (Dembele)
Oh my word, what a strike! And from nothing! Dembele skipped past Grenier and unleashed a vicious left-footed effort that flew past Vercoutre! It was in all the way and now Spurs are going through to meet Inter Milan in the last 16! Amazing!
Lyon now have three minutes to find a goal to force extra time. It looks like their evening will be ending in heartbreak.
They were the better side for the best of an hour tonight, but chose to sit back and defend what they had. And boy have they been punished for it.
FULL TIME: Lyon 1-1 Spurs
And there goes the full-time whistle! Spurs progress at the expense of Lyon in dramatic circumstances. What a strike to seal it from Dembele. Could that be the start of something special in Europe this season? A defining moment, maybe?
Written by
Michael Penkman
Michael Penkman
