Lyon beat Sochaux

Lyon, playing at home in their Gerland stadium, have won the traditional curtain raiser between the league champions and cup winners every year since 2002. Each time they went on to win the league title at the end of the season.

The match was a special occasion for new Lyon coach Alain Perrin, who replaced Gerard Houllier at Lyon after helping Sochaux lift the Cup last season.

Sochaux's young Slovenian forward Valter Birsa beat Lyon keeper Gregory Coupet from close range to open the scoring against the run of play after 14 minutes.

Lyon, who had wasted chances before falling behind, equalised six minutes later with an angled effort by speedy winger Sidney Govou.

The champions then took control and went ahead when Brazil defender Cris tapped in from a corner three minutes from the break.

The French Professional Football League had initially planned to stage the match in China but dropped its plans because it could not obtain the necessary authorisations from the Chinese administration.

The ruling body had wanted the match to be played in Tianjin because both clubs were planning to hold training camps in Asia and also to promote French soccer there.

The Ligue 1 season starts next Saturday.