Lyon Knock Holders Arsenal Out of the Women’s Champions League

Lyon Knock Holders Arsenal Out of the Women's Champions League
Jule Brand of OL Lyonnes celebrates scoring her teams third goal against Arsenal at OL Stadium Photo by Pauline FiguetGetty Images

Lyon scored very late to beat Arsenal 3-1 on the day and 4-3 on aggregate in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final.

Lindsey Heaps headed home early on for Lyon, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

A VAR check determined that Lotte Wubben-Moy had fouled Melchie Dumornay in the area and although Daphne van Domselaar saved Wendie Renard’s penalty, she stepped off her line before the kick, a retake was ordered and Renard made no mistake the second time.

Lyon doubled their lead after 35 minutes, going ahead on aggregate, as Selma Bacha’s corner was squeezed in from an acute angle at the back post by Kadidiatou Diani.

Arsenal hit the woodwork twice in quick succession, Stina Blackstenius smacked the ball against the bar from 20 yards but was given offside, and Olivia Smith saw her effort on the stretch touched onto the post by Christiane Endler.

Smilla Holmberg came off the bench to deliver a cross for Alessia Russo to get between two opponents and knock the ball over the line, making it 2-2 overall with 15 minutes to play.

Jule Brand controlled Melchie Dumornay’s cross to score in the 90th minute. Lyon seemed set to be denied a goal once again after an offside call, but the VAR review confirmed it was legal.

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