Lyon held Ajax to a scoreless draw on Wednesday in their opening game of the Champions League, allowing Real Madrid to take an early stranglehold on Group D.
Lyon will be happier with the point earned away from home than the Dutch champion, which had the better of possession in the first half but created few meaningful chances.
Despite failing to make the most of home advantage, Ajax coach Frank de Boer claimed he was content with the draw.
''I can live with a point,'' he said.
In the group's other match, Real Madrid had a 1-0 win at Dinamo Zagreb.
Miralem Sulejmani wasted the best opening for Ajax when he went clean through on goal with Hugo Lloris in the 75th, but the Lyon goalkeeper saved with his legs to keep the game level.
Lyon forward Bafetimbi Gomis could have put his side in front after 23 minutes but his shot went just wide after combining well with Jimmy Briand.
Gomis had another chance moments later but Ajax goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer palmed his effort away.
Michel Bastos had another good attempt for Lyon in the first half, cutting through the Ajax area before sending his drive wide and Vermeer was called into action again in the 55th to block Bastos' close-range strike.
Ajax captain Vertonghen fired tamely at Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in the 60th after collecting a through ball from Miralem Sulejmani.
Three minutes later, Lloris made a diving save to stop Christian Eriksen's shot from 20 yards (meters).
Clement Grenier thought he had grabbed a late winner for Lyon but saw his 85th-minute volley drift narrowly wide.
''We were helping them sometimes,'' Vertonghen said. ''They have good players that are good on the counterattack.''
