Arsenal Women Beat Lyon to Reach Champions League Final.
Arsenal produced a sensational performance to defeat Olympique Lyon 4-1 in the second leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final, overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit and securing a 5-3 aggregate victory. This triumph marks Arsenal’s first appearance in the final since their 2007 title win.
Facing the daunting task of overturning a first-leg loss, Arsenal started aggressively and were rewarded early when Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler inadvertently turned the ball into her own net, leveling the aggregate score. Just before halftime, Mariona Caldentey unleashed a spectacular strike from the edge of the box, giving Arsenal a 2-0 lead on the night and a 3-2 advantage on aggregate.
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The Gunners continued their dominance in the second half. Alessia Russo extended the lead with a composed finish, and Caitlin Foord capitalized on a defensive error to make it 4-0. Although Melchie Dumornay pulled one back for Lyon late in the game, Arsenal maintained their composure to secure the victory.
Manager Renée Slegers’ tactical acumen was evident as Arsenal exploited Lyon’s defensive vulnerabilities and maintained discipline throughout the match. The team’s pressing and quick transitions disrupted Lyon’s rhythm, while goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar made crucial saves to preserve the lead.
Arsenal’s remarkable comeback sets up a final clash against FC Barcelona, who secured their spot by defeating Chelsea 4-1 in their semi-final, resulting in an 8-2 aggregate score. The final is scheduled for May 24 at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.
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