Arsenal Women stun Lyon to reach first Champions League final in 18 years
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Arsenal Women produced a sensational comeback to book their place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final for the first time since 2007, overcoming eight-time champions Lyon with a 4-1 victory at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, the Gunners faced a daunting task in France but once again showed their resilience, staging a second remarkable second-leg turnaround in this European campaign under head coach Renee Slegers.
Their reward is a mouth-watering final against defending champions Barcelona, who cruised past Chelsea earlier in the day. Arsenal’s players and staff poured onto the pitch at full-time, embracing and celebrating an emotional and historic achievement.
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It was a dominant and determined display from the Arsenal Women, who knew their season was hanging in the balance. They were handed an early lifeline just five minutes in when a disastrous mix-up between Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler and defender Wendie Renard saw the ball deflect off Endler’s back and into the net from a corner.
🚨Arsenal Women qualify for the UEFA Champions League Women final for the first time in 18 years. pic.twitter.com/DsUmGKwmrY
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Mariona Caldentey then fired Arsenal ahead in the tie, curling a stunning strike into the top corner from 20 yards out to silence the home crowd.
Despite expectations of a Lyon fightback after a half-time team talk from former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro, the French giants fell further behind almost immediately after the restart. Alessia Russo capitalised on a defensive error to coolly slot home Arsenal’s third.
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Caitlin Foord sealed a memorable afternoon by smashing a shot into the roof of the net after Vanessa Gilles slipped while trying to play out from the back.
Melchie Dumornay gave Lyon a glimmer of hope with a powerful near-post finish in the 81st minute, but it was too little, too late as Arsenal held firm to complete an extraordinary victory.
Arsenal Women will now face Barcelona in the final at Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade on May 24, with a shot at European glory firmly in their sights.
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