- Lyon took a deserved first-half lead through Kadidiatou Diani
- Arsenal equalised during a much-improved second 45 minutes
- Melchie Dumornay struck an 82nd minute winner
Lyon's quality ultimately told as the record eight-time European champions narrowly got the better of Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, earning a 2-1 win in the first leg of an enthralling Champions League semi-final.
Renee Slegers took a bold stance in her pre-match press duties. "We want to take the opportunity by the throat," the Arsenal boss declared on the eve of the European tie. "We're going to go for it." Lyon clearly had been told the same message.
As the French side's midfielder Lindsey Heaps pointed out: "How do you want to play against our front three?"
The visitors' outrageously gifted attacking trident rapidly underscored their lofty reputation. Tabita Chawinga hovered with menace on the left flank and Melchie Dumornay fizzed around the final third while Kadidiatou Diani tormented Katie McCabe on the right. The jet-heeled French forward repeatedly darted behind the space vacated by Arsenal's Irish full-back, ultimately firing Lyon into a 17th-minute lead following one such burst and the assistance of a VAR review.
Dumornay came the width of Arsenal's crossbar away from a goal of the season contender, clipping a flat drive from 35 yards out over the head of a frantically back-tracking Manuela Zinsberger.
😱 Melchie Dumornay so close to scoring one of the goals of the season!
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Arsenal moved closer towards their manager's demands of attacking superiority in the second half. In the absence of Lyon's towering centre-back Wendie Renard, Slegers' side dominated the blue skies above a packed Emirates Stadium. Frida Maanum squirted two close-range headers wide on either side of half-time, Alessia Russo nodded an effort onto the crossbar and Beth Mead somehow conspired to spoon another headed attempt over the goal frame.
There was a growing sense of panic seeping through the Lyon squad every time the ball went off the ground . An uncharacteristically skittish Christiane Endler proved to be a little too proactive in her attempts to combat Arsenal's aerial assault, awkwardly clattering into Leah Williamson while trying to punch away a corner.
It took a VAR review to spot the offence and Mariona Caldentey - who offered an unrivalled level of composure and class throughout the contest - coolly stroked her penalty into the bottom corner in the 77th minute.
Just as the 40,045-strong Emirates crowd began to believe in a complete Champions League turnaround, Lyon reminded north London of their abundant quality. A dizzying passing sequence, slicing through Arsenal's red shirts with a burst of one-touch punches of the ball, teed up Dumornay for a clear sight of goal which she didn't pass up.
Lyon hold the advantage heading into the second leg in France next Sunday, but Arsenal can take confidence after racking up 13 efforts on goal - the most Lyon have conceded in a Champions League game since last season's final.
Arsenal player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Manuela Zinsberger | 5.7/10 |
RB: Emily Fox | 6.1/10 |
CB: Leah Williamson | 7.0/10 |
CB: Steph Catley | 6.1/10 |
LB: Katie McCabe | 6.9/10 |
CM: Kim Little | 6.9/10 |
CM: Mariona Caldentey | 8.6/10 |
AM: Frida Maanum | 6.0/10 |
RW: Beth Mead | 6.8/10 |
ST: Alessia Russo | 6.6/10 |
LW: Caitlin Foord | 5.7/10 |
SUB: Stina Blackstenius (62' for Maanum) | 6.0/10 |
SUB: Chloe Kelly (62' for Mead) | 6.3/10 |
SUB: Victoria Pelova (83' for Russo) | N/A |
SUB: Lia Walti (84' for Foord) | N/A |
Subs not used: Naomi Williams (GK), Amanda Ilestedt, Jenna Nighswonger, Katie Reid, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Rosa Kafaji.
Lyon player ratings (4-3-3)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Christiane Endler | 6.6/10 |
RB: Ellie Carpenter | 7.9/10 |
CB: Vanessa Gilles | 7.2/10 |
CB: Alice Sombath | 7.0/10 |
LB: Selma Bacha | 7.5/10 |
CM: Lindsey Heaps | 7.6/10 |
CM: Damaris Egurrola | 8.3/10 |
CM: Danielle van de Donk | 6.4/10 |
RW: Kadidiatou Diani | 7.9/10 |
ST: Melchie Dumornay | 8.3/10 |
LW: Tabita Chawinga | 7.4/10 |
SUB: Amel Majri (67' for Van de Donk) | 6.9/10 |
SUB: Ada Hegerberg (80' for Chawinga) | 6.1/10 |
SUB: Vickie Becho (90' for Diani) | N/A |
SUB: Sofie Svava (90' for Bacha) | N/A |
Subs not used: Laura Benkarth (GK), Elma Nelhage, Sofia Huerta, Tarciane, Wendie Renard, Dzsenifer Marozsan, Sara Dabritz, Eugenie Le Sommer.