It may have been an All Blacks win at Eden Park, 30-15 the final score, but it was also a game which created intrigue for the remainder of the series.
The Lions played well, it was just that the All Blacks played better. They were in imperious form, producing some moments of astonishing skill.
The game was played at a furious pace, one which the Lions managed to keep with for 50 odd minutes. Like previous tour games, it was one where the Lions failed to convert opportunities.
What will offer hope more than anything else will have been the performance of the back three.
Liam Williams - 8
His brilliant break for Sean O'Brien's try was the highlight of the Lions tour so far. The Welshman was the stimulant the Lions running game required.
Made a crucial mistake for Rieko Ioane's second try of the game with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Overall, it was a performance which justified Warren Gatland's selection of him over Leigh Halfpenny.
Anthony Watson - 7
Did incredibly well to take a mark from a Barrett kick after 12 minutes - a try-saving moment.
Like his two other back three members, he was brilliant with ball in hand - a constant threat to break the All Blacks' line.
Jonathan Davies - 8
Brilliant with ball in hand. Carried six times for 69 metres. Also beat more players and had more clean breaks than any other Lion.
Ben Te’o - 8
Put in a serious shift before he was replaced by Johnny Sexton after 56 minutes. Carried nine times and made six tackles.
Elected to keep ball in hand rather than pass when the Lions had numbers wide inside the All Blacks 22 early in the second half.
Elliot Daly - 7
Played a crucial part in Sean O'Brien's try.
Brilliantly claimed a cross kick from Farrell after 28 minutes but was then unlucky to knock on under pressure. He was caught out badly though for New Zealand's opening try.
Owen Farrell - 5
Failed to have the substantial impact on the game which the Lions required.
Conor Murray - 7
Unlucky not to cross the whitewash in the opening minutes. Only denied by a tap tackle from Israel Dagg.
His box kicks caused plenty of trouble for the All Blacks. Also made 11 tackles during 68 minutes on the pitch.
Replaced by Rhys Webb who grabbed a late consolation try for the Lions.
Mako Vunipola - 6
Worked hard defensively but did not have the impact on the game which was required from him.
Replaced by Jack McGrath after 52 minutes.
Jamie George - 6
Lineout operated well with George throwing. Also put in a big shift defensively, making 17 tackles. Didn't offer enough going forward though.
Tadhg Furlong - 6
Worked hard but was part of a Lions scrum which was demolished at a crucial point in the game.
Replaced by Kyle Sinckler after an hour.
Alun Wyn Jones - 5 / Maro Itoje - 7
Only played 47 minutes before he was replaced by Maro Itoje. Worked hard, tackling nine times during his time on the pitc but overall looked unable to stay with the game's furious pace.
Itoje made a crucial lineout steal after 65 minutes that kept faint Lions hopes alive. Will almost certainly start the second Test.
George Kruis - 6
Made an immense effort defensively, putting in 16 tackles. Like others in the pack, didn't offer enough going forward.
Peter O’Mahony - 7
Forced off, presumably injured, after 53 minutes. Replaced by Sam Warburton.
Put in a huge shift as usual. Tackled 13 times and stole one lineout. The lineout became a little bit shaky in his absence.
Sean O’Brien - 7
Brilliantly tracked Liam Williams' break to find himself on Jonathan Davies shoulder for the Lions first half try.
Carried eight times for 44 metres.
Taulupe Faletau - 7
Unfortunately for the Lions, the Welsh number eight was more of a force defensively than he was with ball in hand. Worked incredibly hard, making a team-high 20 tackles.
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
