Gift Orban was decisive on Friday night with his brace firing Olympique Lyon to a 4-3 win over Strasbourg in a French Ligue 1 encounter.
Lyon were looking to avoid their third successive defeat to start the season as they played host to Strasbourg at the Groupama Stadium.
Orban did not start the match against Strasbourg but when the Nigerian striker was introduced in the second half, his side was trailing 3-1 to the visiting team.
It was a nightmare start as Lyon were 1-0 down within two minutes and it took injury time for Lyon to find a way to score for the first time this season.
Alexandre Lacazette’s shot smashed against the post and bounced towards Corentin Tolisso who slotted his shot past Strasbourg goalkeeper, Karl-Johan Johnsson to score Lyon’s first goal of the 2024/25 campaign.
Strasbourg struck again immediately into the second half as Chelsea loanee, Andrey Santos headed home. The visitors made it 3-1 in the 58th minute.
Lyon manager, Pierre Sage made a quick double change by substituting Georges Mikautadze and Abner Vinícius for Orban and Malick Fofana who helped Les Gones mount a remarkable comeback to kickstart their season.
In the 61st minute, Lyon reduced the deficit to 3-2. Lacazette once again struck the post before Maitland-Niles would have his redemption and smash the rebound into the back of the net.
Two minutes after that, the score was level. Lacazette’s cross was turned in by the substitute, Orban.
In the 72nd minute, the Lyon substitutes combined to devastating effect. Fofana’s chipped cross towards Orban saw the striker collect his brace to make it four for the hosts in what was shaping up to be a remarkable comeback from 3-1 down.
