Renée Slegers smiled as she politely shut down the suggestion her Arsenal team “got lucky”.
Arsenal are well known for what their head coach calls “problem-solving”. When they go behind, they often find a way to come back. That was the story for much of their Champions League campaign last season and it was the story in the first leg of their semi-final yesterday.
Lyon, however, did much of their problem-solving for them. After taking the lead in the first half, the French side gifted their opponents two goals with some shambolic defending and goalkeeping.
“I’m not sure if we were lucky, this is football sometimes,” Slegers said. “Sometimes, you score the most brilliant goals. But these types of goals are also part of football.
“The first goal is hard for a goalkeeper because that ball goes in front and has runners, so it’s hard to see and I think it caught the opposition off guard a little bit. I think the second goal is a really good moment in the press that we wanted to create.”
This was an error-stricken display from a Lyon team who have been near perfect this season. The first goal was poor goalkeeping from Christiane Endler, who fumbled Mariona Caldentey’s free-kick before Ingrid Engen turned the ball into her own net while attempting to clear on the line.
The same two players were involved in the second goal. They were unnecessarily put under pressure by Lindsey Heaps, who sent a loose pass towards Engen. The defender failed to control the ball and Olivia Smith was quick to pounce. Endler hastily rushed out of her goal, attempted to tackle Smith but missed and the forward passed the ball into an empty net.
The second goal came moments after Kadidiatou Diani had struck the crossbar for Lyon from close range.
“We always win together, we lose together,” Jonatan Giráldez, the Lyon manager, said. “I will never say anything about the individual performance in this case because everybody wants to do their best. I have the responsibility because they played better than us in the second half. We have to analyse what we have to do next week.”
Lyon’s only other defeat in the Champions League this season came in the first leg of their quarter-final tie with Wolfsburg. The French side equalised in the second leg before winning in extra time.
While Lyon will be dangerous on their own turf next week, Arsenal should take confidence from this result and the fact they beat Lyon 4-1 away from home in the second leg of last year’s semi-final. Lyon had by far the stronger bench at the Emirates yesterday, but their substitutes failed to make a significant impact on the game. Arsenal were without Chloe Kelly through a minor muscle injury, while Beth Mead was absent for personal reasons.
Slegers hopes to have both available next week, although there is no timescale on Mead’s return.
While Arsenal may have had a helping hand from Lyon for their goals, they were guilty of sloppy defending themselves in the first half. Caitlin Foord gave the ball away in the middle of the pitch before Jule Brand ghosted past Kim Little with ease. Daphne van Domselaar got a hand on Brand’s shot but was unable to keep it out.
Arsenal responded well to going behind and looked as though they would have the opportunity to level early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty following a trip on Little by Wendie Renard.
But replays showed Renard got to the ball first and referee Desiree Blanco opted to reverse her decision after being sent to the pitchside monitor.
Arsenal may have got a slice of luck with their two goals but they forced Lyon into their two errors. The first goal was bizarre but the second was down to the hard work of Smith, who was Arsenal’s best player on the pitch and was deservedly named player of the match.
Smith arrived with hefty expectations after becoming the first £1m player in the summer. After an initial difficult start, she has grown into a hugely important player and could have a big role to play as Arsenal look to go back-to-back in Europe.
“That’s why we brought her here,” Slegers said. “She’s still very young, but I’m so happy she’s part of Arsenal. I love working with her. One of the qualities she’s impressed me with is how she transfers different roles and ideas on paper onto the pitch. Like we spoke about problem solving and being able to change things, adaptability and flexibility on the pitch is important with how we want to play and she’s done that really well.”
Arsenal will hope they have fewer problems to solve in Lyon - though they may well get another helping hand.
Match details
Arsenal (4-2-1-3) Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson (Hinds 66), Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Little (Codina 90+3), Caldentey; Russo (Holmberg 90+3); Smith (Pelova 83), Blackstenius (Maanum 85), Foord. Subs Votikova, Borbe, Harwood. Goals Engen 59 og, Smith 83.
Lyon (4-1-2-3) Endler; Svava, Engen, Renard, Lawrence; Heaps, Yohannes (Egurrola 65), Shrader; Diani, Hegerberg (Katoto 65), Brand (Becho 76). Subs Belhadj, Bacha, Junttila Nelhage, Dumornay, Fathallah, Sombath, Chawinga, Benyahia, Tarciane. Goal Brand 18.
Referee Désirée Blanco (Switzerland).
Both semi-finals are finely poised
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First leg results
Bayern Munich 1 Barcelona 1
Arsenal 2 Lyon 1
Upcoming second legs
Saturday 2nd May - Lyon vs Arsenal at 14:00
Sunday 3rd May - Barcelona vs Bayern Munich at 15:30
Arsenal fans celebrate the win
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Smith deservedly named as the Player of the Match
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FT: Arsenal 2 Lyon 1
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Arsenal come from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Lyon. The visitors initially opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Brand’s goal, and this was Lyon’s only shot on target throughout the whole match. Arsenal started the second half like a completely different side, with an own goal from Endler and Smith’s late strike giving the hosts the all-important win. Lyon only have themselves to blame. Defensive mistakes have proved costly and Arsenal will head into next week’s second leg in France with a slender advantage.
90+3 min: Arsenal 2 Lyon 1
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Wubben-Moy defends sensationally to shield the ball from Katoto and win a foul. Little goes off and gives the armband to Wubben-Moy for the final few minutes. Russo also departs and is replaced. Holmberg and Codina are the changes.
90 min: Arsenal 2 Lyon 1
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There will be six minutes of added time. Lyon are throwing more players forward now in their search for an equaliser, but they might have left it too late.
88 min: Arsenal 2 Lyon 1
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Foord cuts inside and curls a cross into the box. It looks to be heading into the far corner and Endler reacts well to tip the ball around the post for a corner. Could Arsenal get a third goal before the final whistle?
86 min: Arsenal 2 Lyon 1
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Smith has been the brightest player on the pitch for Arsenal and she’s rewarded with a goal - but it’s yet more diabolical defending from Lyon. It was a terrible pass from Heaps to Engen, who then failed to control the ball. Endler ran out to try and block Smith’s attempt but failed, and the forward had an empty net to finish into. Arsenal have turned it around but they’ve had some help!
84 min: Arsenal 2 Lyon 1
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After that goal, Smith is withdrawn to a standing ovation from the Emirates Stadium. Blackstenius also departs. Maanum and Pelova enter the action.
GOAL! Arsenal have turned this game around
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It’s another defensive mix-up from Lyon and Arsenal capitalise. Heaps plays a dangerous back pass, which Engen and Endler both fail to clear. Smith does brilliantly to apply pressure and doesn’t allow the goalkeeper to gather the ball. The Arsenal attacker pokes it at Endler and the ricochet allows her to sweep the ball into an empty net. Upon the replays, it could be an own goal from Endler.
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) April 26, 2026LIV GIVES US THE LEAD!!!!!! 🔥
Some confusion at the back and our winger pounces, rolling the ball into the empty net! 💪
🔴 2-1 ⚫️ (82) pic.twitter.com/zvTU48YWe2
82 min: Arsenal 1 Lyon 1
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Caldentey plays a glorious sweeping pass out to Blackstenius. The striker cuts inside and tries to find Smith with a pass, which is intercepted. It breaks to Foord, who chops inside and forces a save from Endler.
79 min: Arsenal 1 Lyon 1
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With just over ten minutes of normal time to play, this game is so finely poised. Can either side find a late winner?
76 min: Arsenal 1 Lyon 1
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Russo floats a teasing delivery into the box. Endler just beats Blackstenius to the ball and she comes out to punch away. The offside was up. Nevertheless, it was excellent goalkeeper from Endler.
73 min: Arsenal 1 Lyon 1
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70 min: Arsenal 1 Lyon 1
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Arsenal have undoubtedly been the better side in this second half. Whatever Slegers said to her players at the break has worked wonders. Arsenal look like they could go on and win this match.
67 min: Arsenal 1 Lyon 1
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Both teams make changes as Hegerberg and Yohannes are replaced by Katoto and Egurrola. Williamson comes off to a great reception as Hinds enters the action.
66 min: Arsenal 1 Lyon 1
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Diani rattles the bar for Lyon. Against the run of play, the Lyon winger breaches the Arsenal defence and smashes a one-on-one effort off the woodwork. Lyon are so close to a second goal.
62 min: Arsenal 1 Lyon 1
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That is perhaps the most bizarre goal we have seen in the Champions League this season. It may well go down as an Endler OG but Mariona Caldentey is claiming it. There was a brief VAR check for offside against Stina Blackstenius, who was challenging for the ball, but the goal is given. It was really poor goalkeeping from Endler to just fumble the free-kick and let it into the net. Engen tried to get back and clear but was unable to. It may even go down as an Engen OG if she got the final touch before the ball crossed the line.
GOAL! Arsenal equalise in bizarre circumstances
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What a strange goal. Caldentey fires a low free kick into the box. Blackstenius makes a run which impacts Endler’s vision. The Lyon goalkeeper makes a huge error and lets the ball escape her grasp as it trickles into the bottom corner. After a lengthy VAR check, the goal is confirmed and Arsenal are back level. Their start to the second half warranted that equaliser. The momentum is in favour of the hosts now.
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) April 26, 2026WE'RE LEVEL WITH SUPER MARIO!!!! 🤩
Our number 8 plays a clever free-kick that eludes the keeper and ends up in the back of the net! Game on!
🔴 1-1 ⚫️ (59) pic.twitter.com/zmLGKoHsO0
55 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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Foord runs at the Lyon defence and reaches the byline, before firing a cross into Smith. The winger swivels and her close-range effort excellently saved by Endler. Arsenal are putting Lyon under some serious pressure now.
NO PENALTY! Boos ring around the Emirates
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The decision is overturned and Arsenal’s joy is short-lived. Renard does get the ball and a penalty would have been a harsh decision.
I think that’s the right decision. Wendie Renard got a big foot on the ball before taking a bit of Kim Little. You could argue she had to go across Little to get the ball but I’d say that’s a good tackle. Arsenal have started this half really well though and need to keep this intensity. Lyon have had their third yellow card and so will have to starting treading carefully.
VAR! The referee is sent over to the monitor
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This usually results in the referee overturning their on-field decision. Renard does get the ball, but also clips Little.
ARSENAL PENALTY! Renard fouls Little
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Little glides into the Lyon box and she’s caught by Renard. The Lyon defender is adamant she got the ball. We’re need to see some replays of this...
50 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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Arsenal go close as Fox dribbles forward and finds Smith. From a tight angle, the winger smashes a shot into the side netting. The crowd cheers as they think it has gone in. Arsenal have started the half with real intensity.
47 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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Positive play from Fox, who drives forward and tries to thread a pass through to Blackstenius. However, Endler reads the situation really well and rushes off her line to gather the ball.
46 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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We are back under way for the second half. Both sides are unchanged at the break.
Frustration for Arsenal
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A frustrating half for Arsenal. They’ve had more efforts at goal and more of the ball but a sloppy mistake gave Lyon the opportunity to take the lead and they did so through Jule Brand. Renee Slegers has to find a way to try and get her team back into this game but she is not blessed with a lot of options on the bench. Olivia Smith has looked the brightest player going forward. Alessia Russo has looked pretty isolated at times and is struggling to make much of an impact. Arsenal need to try and get her more involved.
HT: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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No injury time at the Emirates, and after 45 minutes, Lyon hold a slender one-goal advantage over Arsenal. It’s not been a Champions League classic in terms of drama and goals, but Lyon won’t care. The visitors have defended diligently and opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Brand’s clinical finish. That goal was Lyon’s only shot on target. Arsenal are lacking creativity. You cannot fault their application, but the away side have stifled the hosts’ attacking threat.
43 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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Heaps commits a cynical foul as she cynically pulls Russo back. The referee instantly brandishes a yellow card for the Lyon midfielder.
40 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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McCabe hurls a deep cross into the box, which Foord meets at the back post. She attempts to direct a header back across goal, but Blackstenius isn’t quite on the same wavelength and can’t latch onto it. That’s the closest that Arsenal have come so far.
The worry for Arsenal is that, because of injuries, they haven’t got many attacking options on the bench. There’s only really Frida Maanum they can call on. Lyon, meanwhile, are blessed with several big-name players they can bring on. Arsenal just need to stay in this game.
37 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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We are still waiting for Arsenal’s first shot on target of the match.
34 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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Lyon have committed one too many fouls and Lawrence is penalised for a late sliding challenge. Hegerberg is then booked for dissent. The French giants are defending really well and are using their physicality to great effect.
32 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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Smith is hauled down by Yohannes. The Arsenal winger has drawn a few fouls in this first half. Lyon are doing well to take the sting out of the game and the Arsenal fans are beginning to get a bit restless.
29 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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Williamson is cheered by the Arsenal fans as she wins her duel against Hegerberg, beating the Lyon striker to the ball. That battle is definitely one to keep an eye on and could decide the outcome of the match.
27 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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Since their goal, Lyon’s confidence has skyrocketed. They’re beginning to look far more assured on the ball.
24 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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The crowd has gone much quieter now. That Lyon goal has made the atmosphere feel more much deflated. There’s a huge gap between Blackstenius and Russo compared to the rest of the Arsenal squad, which is making the home side look slightly disjointed.
21 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1
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How will Arsenal react to going behind? The way Brand was able to cut through Arsenal for that goal is really worrying for the hosts.
That’s a great finish from Jule Brand but Arsenal should defend it much better. Caitlin Foord initially gave the ball away when her pass to Olivia Smith was cut out. Brand then got past Kim Little far too easily before firing past Daphne van Domselaar. The Arsenal goalkeeper looked as though she got a hand to it and may feel she could have done better.
GOAL! Brand nets a brilliant solo effort for Lyon
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What a goal. Aaginst the run of play, Lyon break the deadlock. Foord’s pass is intercepted and the ball eventually breaks to Brand. The Lyon winger dribbles and glides past Little, before calmly sweeping a close-range shot into the bottom corner. Where was the Arsenal defence then?
17 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0
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Lyon venture forward but the resulting cross comes to nothing. The visitors need to get Brand and Hegerberg more involved.
14 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0
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The home side have started well against Lyon, but are yet to manufacture a decent chance.
11 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0
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Williamson lofts a long ball over the Lyon backline for Blackstenius to chase. Lyon goalkeeper Endler reacts well and sprints off her line to head the ball away from danger with Blackstenius in pursuit.
8 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0
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Lyon counter through Yohannes and Diana. The latter dribbles into the box and attempts to Yohannes, but Arsenal do well to track back and Fox retreats to halt Lyon’s attack.
6 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0
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Russo does well to direct a sliding pass into Fox’s path. The full-back is incredibly far forward and plays a low cross into the box, which finds Foord at the back post. She shoots, but rushes the effort, so it drifts out harmlessly for a Lyon goal kick.
5 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0
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Williamson has already played a couple fizzing passes into Smith. The defender always looks to play forward and break the lines with her passing. Smith tries to get a cross off on the second occasion, but it’s blocked by the Lyon defence.
3 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0
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Uneventful start to this match. It’s like a chess game so far. Both sides are figuring each other out in these early stages.
The teams emerge from the tunnel
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The players come out to a roaring atmosphere at the Emirates. Kick-off is just minutes away.
Alessia Russo enjoying a sensational European campaign
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The Arsenal forward is the joint top scorer in the Champions League alongside Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor with eight goals. Russo will be looking to add more to her tally today.
Arsenal players out for the warm-up
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Arsenal fans are out in full force
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The reigning European champions
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The team that everyone wants to beat. Arsenal lifted last season’s Champions League, after they won 1-0 against Barcelona in the final, thanks to Stina Blackstenius’ 74th minute goal.
The teams in full
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Arsenal: van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe, Russo, Little, Caldentey, Smith, Blackstenius, Foord.
Subs: Votikova, Borbe, Codina, Maanum, Pelova, Hinds, Holmberg, Harwood.
Lyon: Endler, Lawrence, Renard, Engen, Svava, Albert, Horan, Yohannes, Diani, Hegerberg, Brand.
Subs: Belhadj, Bacha, Junttila-Nelhage, Dumornay, Becho, Katoto, Egurrola, Fathallah, Sombath, Chawinga, Benyahia, Tarciane Karen.
Another look at the Arsenal team news
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The big Arsenal team news is that Leah Williamson starts for the first time since March 15. She returned from injury in England’s 1-0 victory over Iceland last weekend but was only fit enough to play 45 minutes. Chloe Kelly is not in the squad due to a minor muscle injury. Beth Mead is also absent for personal reasons, and Steph Catley is still not fit enough to make the squad.
Melchie Dumornay waiting in the wings
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Arsenal fans will be relieved to see that Lyon midfielder Melchie Dumornay isn’t starting today.
Lyon team news
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Melchie Dumornay, who scored twice for Lyon in their 2-1 victory over Arsenal back in October 2025, is only fit enough for the bench. Key players such as Christiane Endler, Ingrid Engen, Kadidiatou Diani and Ada Hegerberg were all rested in midweek and start today.
Arsenal team news
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Leah Williamson starts after recovering from injury while on international duty. Alessia Russo, who has eight Champions League goals and is the competition’s joint top scorer this season, also starts. Arsenal are without Beth Mead due to personal reasons, while Steph Catley and Chloe Kelly are absent because of injuries.
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) April 26, 2026🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
🫡 Williamson returns
🪄 Mariona in the middle
⚡ Blackstenius up topWe know what to do - COYG! 👊
One of Arsenal’s greatest European nights
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On their way to winning last season’s Champions League, Arsenal beat Lyon 4-1 in the second-leg of their semi-final in France to win 5-3 on aggregate. This secured Arsenal their first final appearance since 2007, and they beat Barcelona in the showpiece event in Lisbon.
They meet again
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Hello and welcome to our live blog of this Champions League semi-final first leg tie between Arsenal Women and Lyon Women at the Emirates Stadium.
It’s déjà vu for both clubs, who met at this stage of the UWCL last season, with Arsenal running out 5-3 winners on aggregate. Renee Slegers’ side lost 2-1 in the first leg in London, before a memorable 4-1 victory in France, which sealed the aggregate win. Arsenal proceeded to lift the trophy in Lisbon, defeating Barcelona 1-0 in May 2025.
The reigning European champions intend to defend their crown, but have already lost to Lyon in this season’s edition of the competition. On the first matchday of the league phase, Lyon beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates as Melchie Dumornay’s double cancelled out Alessia Russo’s opener.
Arsenal finished fifth in the league phase, four points behind second-place Lyon, before they smashed Belgian outfit OH Leuven 7-1 in the knockout play-offs. This set up an all-English quarter-final against Chelsea, with Arsenal recording a narrow 3-2 aggregate victory over their London rivals.
Lyon have magnificent European pedigree and will be aiming to avenge last season’s shock defeat to Arsenal. The French giants are pioneers of women’s football and have won eight Champions League trophies, including five consecutive titles from 2016 to 2020.
Jonatan Giraldez’s side finished second in the league phase and advanced straight into the last eight, where they overcame VFL Wolfsburg. Lyon have redemption firmly in their sights as they target a first Champions League trophy since 2022.
Bayern Munich played Barcelona in the other semi-final in Bavaria on Saturday, with the first leg ending 1-1, leaving the tie finely poised. All clubs are targeting places in next month’s final in Oslo, and it promises to be a fascinating finale to the competition.
Kick-off is at 15:30, with team news coming shortly.