If you have ever wondered why football is called the beautiful game, then you probably missed Wednesday night's Champions League game between Lyon and Stuttgart.

Ben Arfa opened teh scoring for Lyon in the fifth minute which was followed 10 minutes later by a second from his teamate Kim Kallstrom. The home crowd barely had chance to celebrate before Stuttgart reduced the deficit, Vercoutre spilling Hitzlsperger's shot into the path of Gomez, who stroked home from six yards.

Ben Arfa restored Lyon's two goal cushion just before the break but Stuttgart, with nothing to lose, came out strong after the break and within 11 minutes Gomez had scored his second, reducing the gap 3-2.

'Stuttgart have lost any chance of going to the quarter-finals but Lyon have two more games in which to secure qualification'

Hitzlsperger then wasted a golden chance to level matters. Santos was adjudged to have fouled Gomez in the box, even though replays showed there was little contact and the alleged infringement came outside the area.
But the former Aston Villa midfielder squandered the opportunity, his penalty tipped around the post by Vercoutre.

Carried with the high spirits of this save Lyon confirmed their superiority with a goal in overtime from Juninho, tapping in Anthony Reveillere's cross from close range with the very last kick of the game and bringing to a close a beautiful game.

Stuttgart have lost any chance of going to the quarter-finals but Lyon have two more games in which to secure qualification. Rangers have one point lead on them in Group E. Lyon will face next group leaders Barcelona, and then Rangers will face Suttgart who have nothing to lose. The it's the final showdown between Lyon and Rangers on the December 12.