Olympique Lyon - Sparta Praha live - Football

Olympique Lyon host Sparta Prague in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 third qualifying round on 11 August 2026 at 20:00 BST at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Décines-Charpieu. Lyon trail 1-2 on aggregate after losing the first leg in Prague, meaning Paulo Fonseca's side must overturn the deficit to end a six-year absence from the Champions League, while Sparta arrive protecting a precious lead earned through a second-half comeback inspired by Matěj Ryneš.

Match Info: Olympique Lyon vs Sparta Prague

The second leg of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 third qualifying round between Olympique Lyon and Sparta Prague takes place on 11 August 2026 at 20:00 BST (21:00 CEST) at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Sparta Prague lead 2-1 on aggregate heading into this return fixture.

Where to Watch Olympique Lyon vs Sparta Prague?

French viewers have the widest selection of broadcast options for this tie. On television, the match is available on Canal+ Foot, Canal+ France, and Canal+ Live 1, while subscribers can also stream it live through the myCanal platform online.

In Czech Republic, fans can catch the action on Prima Sport on television, with the online stream available via OnePlay. Slovak supporters can tune in to JOJ Šport for the TV broadcast or follow the match on JOJ play online.

Portuguese viewers are covered by Sport TV1 on traditional television and Sport TV Multiscreen for online viewing. In Bulgaria, the match is broadcast on MAX Sport 3, while Swiss fans have access to Canal+ Foot and Canal+ France.

Match between Olympique Lyon and Sparta Prague - Preview

Lyon must win by at least two goals without conceding - or by a single goal and hope extra time goes their way - to advance and end their six-year wait for Champions League group-stage football, last achieved in the 2019-20 season.

The first leg in Prague was a tale of missed chances and second-half drama. Lyon appeared to concede an early goal only for the referee to disallow it for offside, and Lois Openda later won a penalty that could have turned the tie - only for Corentin Tolisso to sky the spot-kick over the crossbar in the 67th minute. Moments later, Matěj Ryneš levelled for Sparta before teeing up John Mercado to head home the winner, completing a dramatic turnaround.

At the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Paulo Fonseca will be counting on the home crowd to inspire a comeback. Lyon finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and, despite an inconsistent pre-season - including a 4-0 friendly defeat to Real Betis - the incentive of reaching the Champions League proper is immense. Sparta, who know their way around a two-legged European tie having featured in the competition's league phase in 2024-25, will set up to absorb pressure and threaten on the counter.

Head-to-Head: Olympique Lyon vs Sparta Prague

Lyon have historically been the dominant force in this fixture, but Sparta's win in the first leg shows the Czech side are capable of upsetting the balance when the stakes are highest. Their European meetings stretch back to the 2004/05 Champions League group stage.

Here are the most recent head-to-head meetings between the two clubs:

• 4 August 2026 - UEFA Champions League Qualifying - Sparta Prague 2:1 Lyon
• 4 November 2021 - UEFA Europa League - Lyon 3:0 Sparta Prague
• 21 October 2021 - UEFA Europa League - Sparta Prague 3:4 Lyon

Olympique Lyon - Recent Form

Lyon enter the second leg having won just once in their last five matches - a run that reflects the inconsistency of a side still searching for its best form heading into the new campaign.

Their pre-season offered some encouragement in the early stages: Lyon defeated Servette FC 2-1 and followed that up with a commanding 2-0 win over VfL Wolfsburg. However, form deteriorated sharply thereafter. A 2-0 defeat to Slavia Prague was followed by a damaging 4-0 loss to La Liga side Real Betis, before the competitive season began with the narrow first-leg defeat against Sparta. The tone of the pre-season - and of the first leg - suggests Lyon are capable of sharp attacking moments, as Openda's penalty-winning display in Prague illustrated, but they must also address the defensive vulnerabilities that have cost them in recent weeks.

Sparta Prague - Recent Form

Sparta Prague travel to Lyon with the confidence of a team that has just overturned a first-leg deficit and with a 2-1 aggregate lead to defend on foreign soil.

The Czech side's broader form is mixed. In the Czech First League this season, they beat Zlín 3-1 but had previously lost to Zbrojovka Brno 1-3. Pre-season results were also unpromising - a 5-1 friendly defeat to FC Nordsjaelland and a 1-0 loss to Jagiellonia offered little encouragement. But Brian Priske's men have shown they can raise their game for European occasions, and Ryneš in particular looks a player in fine fettle after his decisive contribution in the first leg. Defensively, Sparta conceded 4 goals across their two Czech League games this season, which Lyon are certain to target over 90 minutes.

Facts and Statistics

Olympique Lyon and Sparta Prague share a European history that dates back to the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League group stage, where Lyon's class proved decisive. Now, over two decades later, these two clubs meet again in a high-stakes qualifying battle with Champions League group football on the line.

• Lyon have been absent from the Champions League since the 2019-20 season - this tie represents their first shot at returning to the competition's main stage in six years.
• Sparta's win in Prague on 4 August was their first competitive victory over Lyon in European football, ending a run of defeats and draws in all previous meetings.
• Corentin Tolisso's missed penalty in the 67th minute of the first leg - when the score stood at 1-1 - proved a pivotal moment in shaping the 2-1 aggregate deficit Lyon now face.
• In the two 2021/22 Europa League meetings between the clubs, Lyon scored 7 goals across both legs, winning 4-3 in Prague and 3-0 at home.
• Matěj Ryneš was directly involved in both of Sparta's goals in the first leg - scoring the equaliser and assisting Mercado's header - making him the tie's standout player so far.