Lyon took a significant step towards another Women’s Champions League final with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their semifinal clash on Saturday. The match, held at the Emirates Stadium in London, saw Lyon, the competition’s most successful club with eight titles, edge closer to another championship bout.
The visitors took the lead when Kadidiatou Diani’s goal was initially flagged for offside but was later validated by a VAR review in the 17th minute. The match saw a fierce comeback from Arsenal in the second half, with Mariona Caldentey leveling the score with a penalty kick in the 78th minute. This came after a tumultuous incident involving Lyon’s goalkeeper Christiane Endler, leading to a foul on Arsenal’s Leah Williamson. However, it was Melchie Dumornay who captured the spotlight, making a dazzling solo run through the Arsenal defense to net the winning goal for Lyon in the 82nd minute, securing the French club’s ninth consecutive win in the Champions League this season.
Lyon, unbeaten across all competitions in this campaign, will host Arsenal in the return leg on April 27. The French side is keen on making their 12th appearance in the finals as they aim for their ninth trophy, having last lifted the title in 2022. Lyon’s coach, Joe Montemurro, formerly of Arsenal, highlighted the importance of result-driven performances at this stage, acknowledging the team’s resilience and character that have been crucial in challenging moments.
As the other semifinal awaits to unfold, Barcelona, the reigning champions, are set to face Chelsea in Spain on Sunday. Arsenal remains the only English side to have clinched the Women’s Champions League, with their sole triumph dating back to 2007, and they have not reached the finals since. Dumornay’s outstanding display was a key factor in shifting the momentum away from Arsenal in the second half, as she reinforced her status as a premier talent on the global stage by hitting the crossbar with a stunning long-range effort before netting the decisive goal.
Arsenal’s Alessia Russo acknowledged the team’s spirited spells of play but noted Lyon’s remarkable effectiveness in attack. With this result, a fourth clash between Lyon and Barcelona in the finals over the past seven seasons seems increasingly likely.