Late Tevez strike denies Lyon

Carlos Tevez stepped off the Manchester United bench to grab a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Lyon in their Champions League first leg match in France.

Tevez ghosted in at the far post after Karim Benzema had opened the scoring for the French champions with a superb individual effort.

But the Argentinian's 87th-minute goal will give United confidence going into the return leg at Old Trafford in two weeks, as they seek to reach the quarter-finals of the competition they won in 1999.

Lyon had the better of the first half and there was a scare for United in the 24th minute when Rio Ferdinand sliced a cross from Jeremy Toulalan but the ball went wide of the post.

Wayne Rooney, however, almost made the breakthrough a minute later after being released by Ryan Giggs but Gregory Coupet in the Lyon goal made a superb parry.

There was not much tempo to United's game, and they seemed to be playing well within themselves. And Lyon made the breakthrough in the 54th minute with a marvellous piece of skill from Benzema.

The 20-year-old striker had his back to goal when Toulalan played the ball through - and there seemed little on. But Benzema turned quickly and got between Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic before steering a shot into the corner off a post, giving Edwin Van der Sar no chance.

Ferguson brought on Nani and Tevez with 25 minutes remaining, with Giggs - who had made little impact - and Paul Scholes making way.

United found themselves on the back foot again in the 66th minute when Francois Clerc cut into the area - but Van der Sar got down quickly to make the save.

But with time seemingly running out United grabbed an equaliser when Tevez lost his marker and ghosted in at the far post to send his effort beyond Coupet, after the ball had fortuitously broken to him off Fred.