Two simple Artem Dzyuba finishes, both after excellent work from Hulk, were enough for the Group H pacesetters to reach the last 16 again.
Zenit reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 for the third time in five years as two Artem Dzyuba goals, both set up by Hulk, gave the Russian side a fourth successive Group H win.
After a quiet opening 20 minutes, the match burst to life midway through the opening period as Zenit – 3-1 winners in Russia on matchday three – started to find gaps in the Lyon defence. Only two excellent saves in quick succession from home goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, both to deny Danny, kept the scoresheet blank – but Lyon were not reprieved for long.
Hulk, scorer of a memorable goal in St Petersburg, was becoming an increasingly influential figure and from a trademark burst Zenit took the lead. The Brazilian’s acceleration took him past two defenders down the right before drawing Lopes for Artem Dzyuba to slot in.
Lyon, however, had carried a threat of their own and were close to an equaliser on three separate occasions before the break. Corentin Tolisso placed a shot wide of the post before Yuri Lodygin beat out Maxime Gonalons’ shot and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa prodded the rebound wide of the gaping goal. The goalkeeper was beaten again moments later by Henri Bedimo’s thunderous drive; this time the woodwork came to his rescue.
Zenit had been on the ropes, but they possessed the evening’s most incisive attacker in Hulk, and more direct running from the powerful No7 helped the visitors increase their lead just before the hour. The Brazilian again drew defenders to him before poking a pace through for Dzyuba to prod under Lopes despite Tolisso’s efforts to clear.
Lyon’s already slender hopes effectively ended when captain Gonalons collected his second yellow card of the evening 18 minutes from time, although Zenit also ended with ten men after Aleksandr Anyukov was himself dismissed for a second bookable offence. While Lyon cannot now progress, however, Zenit’s UEFA Champions League campaign will continue into the spring.
Group H standings after 4 matchdays
Zenit 12
Valencia 6
Gent 4
Lyon 1
