A Jimmy Briand header 19 minutes from time completed a rousing fightback from Lyon as the French club beat Rubin Kazan 3-1 in the first-leg of their Champions League play-off. Vladimir Dyadyun had stunned the Stade de Gerland as he handed the Russian visitors a third-minute lead, but Bafetimbi Gomis led the Lyon response, by scoring one and creating another to give Remi Garde's side the lead before Briand sealed the win in a refreshingly open contest.
"It gives me pleasure to have scored," said Briand. "I am happy to have given the team a two goal advantage. That is already a good thing. Lyon are bidding to reach the group stages of Europe's elite club competition for the 12th consecutive season, but Garde's men came into this tie on the back of a frustrating draw against unfancied Ajaccio in Ligue 1 on Saturday. Meanwhile Rubin made the long trip from Tatarstan with two-thirds of their domestic season already completed. They lie fourth in the Russian Premier League, and they looked well-placed to return to the Champions League group stage for a third straight season when Dyadyun turned in Bebras Natcho's right-wing corner.
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