Lyon faces sparta prague in champions league qualifier

Olympique Lyonnais travels to Prague this Tuesday for its opening European campaign duel against Sparta Prague in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. A high-stakes encounter awaits as both clubs battle for a spot in the final playoff round, with losers slipping into the UEFA Europa League for the 2026-2027 season.

Sparta Prague, runners-up in the Czech First League last season, have shown resilience in continental competitions. They reached the group stage in 2024 and advanced to the UEFA Conference League round of 16 this year. However, their recent form in Champions League qualifiers is concerning: they have lost four of their last five attempts at this stage. Historical clashes between Lyon and Sparta Prague have also favored the French side, with five victories and one draw across past meetings in the Champions League and Europa League.

For Lyon, the match represents an early test for new signing Loïs Openda, who joined from Juventus on a paid loan this summer. With seven goals already netted in the Champions League prior to this fixture, Openda will be crucial in guiding Les Gones past Sparta Prague and into the decisive playoff against either Fenerbahçe or Sturm Graz. The stakes are high, and Lyon must capitalize on their historical advantage to secure a strong start in Europe.

Where to watch the match live?

The first-leg showdown kicks off at 20:00 CET on Tuesday, August 4, at the epet ARENA in Prague. French fans can catch the action live through an official stream on sports.orange.fr or tune in on Canal+ for commentary and coverage.