Zenit beat Lyon 2-0 to stay in contention for last-16 spot

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group G - Zenit Saint Petersburg v Olympique Lyonnais - Gazprom Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 27, 2019 Zenit Saint Petersburg's Artem Dzyuba celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (Reuters) - Zenit St Petersburg secured a 2-0 home win over Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday thanks to goals by Artem Dzyuba and Magomed Ozdoev to stay in the hunt for a place in the Champions League knockout stages.

Zenit climbed into second place in Group G on seven points from five games, above third-placed Lyon who also have seven but trail the Russian side because of an inferior head-to-head record as they drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture.

Iran forward Sardar Azmoun hit the post for Zenit before the towering Dzyuba broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute, when he headed a Douglas Santos corner past goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group G - Zenit Saint Petersburg v Olympique Lyonnais - Gazprom Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 27, 2019 Zenit Saint Petersburg's Magomed Ozdoev celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

Zenit were forced to defend desperately at times after the break as Lyon pressed but the home side packed their midfield and held firm, denying the French side any clear chances.

With Lyon running out of steam, Ozdoev sealed Zenit's win with a deflected 84th-minute shot from 18 metres, as his fierce half-volley clipped Marcelo's heel and sailed into the back of the net past the stranded Lopes.

Group leaders RB Leipzig, who have nine points from four games, host bottom team Benfica (three points) later on Wednesday.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group G - Zenit Saint Petersburg v Olympique Lyonnais - Gazprom Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 27, 2019 Olympique Lyonnais' Jason Denayer reacts after the match REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

(Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic; Editing by Ed Osmond)

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group G - Zenit Saint Petersburg v Olympique Lyonnais - Gazprom Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 27, 2019 Zenit Saint Petersburg's Wilmar Barrios in action with Olympique Lyonnais' Jeff Reine-Adelaide REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group G - Zenit Saint Petersburg v Olympique Lyonnais - Gazprom Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 27, 2019 Olympique Lyonnais' Jason Denayer in action with Zenit Saint Petersburg's Daler Kuzyayev REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group G - Zenit Saint Petersburg v Olympique Lyonnais - Gazprom Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 27, 2019 Zenit Saint Petersburg's Sardar Azmoun in action REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group G - Zenit Saint Petersburg v Olympique Lyonnais - Gazprom Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia - November 27, 2019 Olympique Lyonnais' Amine Gouiri in action with Zenit Saint Petersburg's Mikhail Kerzhakov and Branislav Ivanovic REUTERS/Anton Vaganov