Watch Sparta Prague vs OL in third qualifying round first leg

Olympique Lyonnais kicks off its European campaign this Tuesday evening with a high-stakes away clash against Sparta Prague in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. French football’s representatives will be eager to secure a strong start in their quest to advance beyond this early stage of the competition. Here’s everything you need to know about how to follow the match live.

The Czech champions-elect, currently sitting four points behind Slavia Prague in the domestic standings, have demonstrated their potential in continental tournaments. They reached the group stage in 2024 and pushed all the way to the UEFA Conference League round of 16 this season. A setback in this tie would send either side into the UEFA Europa League for the 2026-27 campaign. Sparta Prague, fresh off a mixed start to their league campaign with a win and a loss, has struggled historically in these knockout duels, falling short in four of their last five attempts at this stage.

Lyon holds a commanding head-to-head record against Czech opponents, particularly Sparta Prague, where the French side has claimed five wins and one draw in past meetings. Notable victories include a 5-0 thrashing in Lyon during the 2005 Champions League group stage, a 3-0 home win in the 2021 Europa League third round, and a 3-4 away victory in Prague during the same campaign. This time, the stakes are higher as the tie is a straight knockout, though the away goals rule no longer applies in case of a draw.

Loïs Openda, Lyon’s headline signing from Juventus on a season-long loan, has already found the net seven times in the Champions League. The Belgian striker will be pivotal in guiding his new team past Sparta Prague and into the final playoff round, where they could face the likes of Fenerbahçe or Sturm Graz.

Where to watch the Sparta Prague vs OL match live

Kickoff is set for 20:00 on Tuesday, August 4, at the ePET ARENA in Prague. Fans in France can tune in to Canal+ for live coverage, while online viewers can stream the match in real time via sports.orange.fr.