Le Magnifique Free-Kick! Clément Grenier (Lyon) vs Nice

May 20, 2013 • • min read

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A majestic Clément Grenier free-kick helped 10-man Olympique Lyon snatch a 1-1 draw at Nice on Sunday and keep themselves in pole position for the final Champions League spot.

Clément Grenier celebrates after scoring the equalizer for Lyon against Nice

Photo: Reuters

After a scoreless opening period, the home side got off the mark after 47 minutes with Darío Cvitanich breaking the deadlock from the penalty spot.

A red card for Maxime Gonalons in the 73rd minute gave Les Gones even greater cause for concern, but the visitors managed to climb level three minutes later with a magical free-kick from Grenier.

The 22-year-old has often been compared to Brazil star Kaká, but his goal from a free-kick was rather more akin to a Brazilian somewhat closer to former Lyon hero Juninho.

Over 35 yards from goal, Nice goalkeeper David Ospina would have been entitled to expect little danger.

Grenier had other ideas though, thumping in a spectacular long range effort that found the top corner before Ospina could react.

"It was Juninho-esque," said Lyon coach Rémi Garde. "He has been working hard in training on set pieces and he was rewarded. I'm happy for him."

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