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Arsenal are through to first Women’s Champions League final in 18 years - Getty Images/Anadolu
Lyon 1 Arsenal 4 (Agg 3-5)
Arsenal reached their first Champions League final in 18 years after producing their greatest European performance in recent history to oust serial winners Lyon.
Showing immense composure to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the opening leg, Renee Slegers’s side stunned the eight-time European champions with a clinical and composed display.
They dominated the midfield, won every physical battle and tore apart Lyon’s traditional compact play to send a pocket of away fans into raptures and reach just their second Champions League final – and first since they won the competition in 2007.
Their streetwise performance will certainly instill belief that they can go all the way and match the might of Barcelona in the final in Lisbon on May 24, with the Spaniards having crushed Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate earlier in the day.
Arsenal never looked back after levelling the tie after just five minutes when Lyon, who will be haunted by their error-strewn play, failed to deal with a dangerous Chloe Kelly corner. A mix-up at the back saw the ball bounce off keeper Christiane Endler and it set the tone for their messy, nightmarish afternoon.
Mariona Caldentey scored the pick of Arsenal’s goals just before half time, rifling a sublime strike into the top corner as Arsenal edged ahead.
They capitalised on another period of nightmarish Lyon defending 28 seconds after the break, as Alessia Russo angled home a fierce shot to put them in the driving seat.
Caitlin Foord, who was a menace all afternoon for the visitors, stretched Arsenal’s lead after the hour mark when she pounced on a defensive howler from Vanessa Gilles.
Lyon pulled back a consolation goal through Melchie Dumornay, but Arsenal remained resilient, closing out a game to reach a European final for the first time in a generation.
Full report to follow . . .
07:30 PM BST
‘I can’t wait to take on Barcelona’
Caitlin Foord hailed the support of the Arsenal fans stuck in the “nosebleeds” in Lyon, saying: “I’m so proud to be part of this club and to have fans like that.”
On Barcelona, she said: “It will be a tough game and in a final anything can happen. Obviously I’m looking forward to it, it’s an exciting moment for us. I can’t wait to take them on.”
07:24 PM BST
‘We can beat anyone’
Arsenal captain Kim Little tells TNT Sports that Renee Slegers has brought “calmness and composure” to this Arsenal team.
She adds: “It means a lot, you can tell by the emotion. This is an incredible football club and we’ve had numerous games in the Champions League and not made the final since we won it in 2007. It is really special to do it and we want to represent this great club in the final. I believe in this team and at our best we can beat anyone.”
07:02 PM BST
FULL TIME Lyon 1 - 4 Arsenal (3-5)
It’s all over! Arsenal have made history.. they’ve reached just their second Champions League final in their history and first since they won the competition since 2007. And they deserved it, so many fine individual performances all over the pitch in a classy ad composed performance. Captain Kim Little has tears in her eyes. “I hope they go and win it now,” says Karen Carney in the TNT studio. “Classy and controlled, they absolutely deserve it. The manager has been a revelation since she came in and I’m thrilled for them.”
06:51 PM BST
90 mins Lyon 1 - 4 Arsenal (3-5)
Mead scurries down the wing and shows great vision to whip the ball into the middle but opts instead to keep going and take it towards the corner, but Lyon force a throw-in. Can’t see the French giants finding a way out of this one - their energy levels have dropped again. Five minutes of additional time to be added on. Five minutes between Arsenal and a second Champions League final, where they would meet Barcelona.
06:45 PM BST
83 mins Lyon 1 - 4 Arsenal (3-5)
Durmonay’s goal has made the home supporters more lively again.. as Lyon pour forward again and win a corner, it’s a van de Donk cross and Marozsan, who is in a golden position, but she sends her header over the bar..
06:43 PM BST
80 mins Lyon 1 - 4 Arsenal (3-5) LYON HIT BACK
Steph Catley has been excellent today, an attacking lynchpin but also a pillar in defence. She ambushes a Lyon attack.. but the hosts come again and Carpenter sends in a cross from the right, she finds Durmonay and she fires a low, fierce shot past Van Domselaar. Surely it’s too late to mount a comeback now?
06:40 PM BST
78 mins Lyon 0 - 4 Arsenal (2-5)
Arsenal still aren’t slowing down. They look so much fresher than Lyon, whose heads are down, and counter again as Blackstenius races up the pitch. She finds Maanum but her first touch lets her down.
06:39 PM BST
72 mins Lyon 0 - 4 Arsenal (2-5)
Lyon try to go forwards through Le Sommer but Little, who has been everywhere in this match, races back to win the ball. Arsenal have been relentless. Two changes for Lyon, with Dzsenifer Maroszan and Alice Sombath brought on for Egurrola and Renard make way. Kelly, meanwhile, makes way for Mead.
06:30 PM BST
68 mins Lyon 0 - 4 Arsenal (2-5)
Lyon have had just the three shots on target. Arsenal have had six and been on target with four, three of which have been goals. It’s been a clinical, ruthless performance from the Londoners. Diani shoots from a narrow angle, but she hits the side netting and the offside flag is raised.. and now Lyon are ringing the changes. Is it too late? Eugenie Le Sommer and former Arsenal player Danielle van de Donk come on, Ada Hegerberg and Lindsey Heaps trudge off.
06:27 PM BST
61 mins Lyon 0 - 4 Arsenal (2-5) CAITIN FOORD ADDS ANOTHER!
Arsenal have one foot in the final now! It’s more unbelievable stuff from the Gunners and another nightmare episode of play for the hosts. It’s Vanessa Gilles who is caught napping on the ball in the Lyon box and Foord - out of nowhere - pounces, advances forward, and rifles a shot from close range past the helpless Endler. That just sums up how this match has panned out for the French giants.. they just haven’t been at the races today.
06:24 PM BST
55 mins Lyon 0 - 3 Arsenal (2-4)
Diani tiptoes into the Arsenal box and looks to send the ball into the middle, but she’s watched all the way and Arsenal force a corner. Damaris Egurrola goes into the book as she tries to stop Arsenal’s counter-attack by sliding in on Little.
Kelly throws away the ball - cue boos from the Lyon crowd - and the ref stops play to have a word. She needs to keep her emotions in check if she wants to make her first Champions League final.
06:17 PM BST
55 mins Lyon 0 - 3 Arsenal (2-4)
This is the first time Lyon have conceded three goals at home since October 2022. What happened then? Arsenal scored another two and beat the French side 5-1.
Lyon launch some long ball play up to Hegerberg.. but it’s Diani who collects it before threading through a ball to the Swede, and she has half a second to fire a shot straight at Van Domeslaar, who saves easily. A straightforward save for the Dutchwoman.
06:14 PM BST
50 mins Lyon 0 - 3 Arsenal (2-4)
Bacha sends a cross towards the back post but their attacking efforts are poor. Nobody gets anywhere near it and Arsenal clear.
Arsenal come forward again through Foord, but Russo can’t keep control of it and it goes out for a throw-in. Lyon have looked so off-colour today. Something is definitely not clicking. Arsenal are executing their game plan to a T.. as Russo finds a pocket of space and tries her luck on the half turn, angling a low fierce shot down to Endler’s right. The keeper gets down quickly.
06:11 PM BST
46 mins Lyon 0 - 3 Arsenal (2-4) RUSSO SCORES!
We are barely seconds into the second half and Arsenal have struck again! 28 seconds, to be precise. Arsenal put the pressure on Lyon from kick-off and close them down - Lyon endure some nightmarish defending as Foord and Maanum press with intent to rob the ball from the hosts’ defence.. and Russo latches onto the stray ball that ricochets off a Lyon defender. She needs no second invitation to open up her body and angle a shot past Endler into the corner. Lyon completely caught out! Arsenal are 3-0 up and in cruise control. What. A. Start.
05:58 PM BST
Half-time Lyon 0 - 2 Arsenal (2-3)
Wow, it’s been a conscientious first half from Arsenal, who are 45 minutes away from the Champions League final. They’ve controlled the match perfectly and have overturned their deficit from the first leg, bookending the half with goals. Their first one was a result of terrible defending from the hosts at the set piece but their second was a wonder goal from Spain World Cup winner Caldentey. Lyon finally notched their first shot on target moments before the whistle blew.. Egurrola found herself unmarked at the back post and heads towards goal but van Domselaar manages is in the right place at the right time to keep it out. Caldentey and Little in particular have been instrumental in the middle of the park, controlling the game emphatically.
05:52 PM BST
45 mins Lyon 0 - 2 Arsenal (2-3)
Caldentey!!! WHAT a strike on the stroke of half time! Kelly tiptoes down the right and send in a looping cross towards Russo but a Lyon head clears the danger..but Little is there to mop up the ball and threads it left to Russo, who in turn takes her time and lays it off to Caldentey behind her.. the Spaniard showcases some fine footwork, rolls the ball from her left foot onto her right and BOOM hits one towards the top corner. Endler doesn’t get anywhere near it.. and the Gunners are ahead! Advantage Arsenal
05:47 PM BST
43 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
Renard sends a sumptuous cross-field pass towards Carpenter on the right, but her first touch isn’t great and a pair of Arsenal players close her down to regain possession. The ball strikes Hegerberg on the arm and she’s livid at the referee’s decision.. that whole episode sort of sums up this first half for Lyon.
05:43 PM BST
40 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
Lyon earn themselves another corner.. Arsenal head it clear and the ball falls to Carpenter, who launches one from 35 yards out, but it’s well over the bar. Lyon are enjoying a fine spell of attacking possession and have two bites of the cherry in the box, Diani goes up the right and sends a delivery into the middle, but Emily Fox heads it clear - initially, at least. Diani is then able to have another go as Lyon work the ball back into the penalty area, but it’s blocked. Arsenal are having to hold firm here, as Lyon are starting to settle into a rhythm. Still, they’ve had eight shots now and haven’t been able to get any of them on target.
05:39 PM BST
36 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
Dumornay Little launches a protest but the ref’s mind is made up. Maanum is the offending party. Bacha steps up and floats a curling effort towards goal - van Domselaar remains routed to the spot in goal - and watches the ball grace the netting over the crossbar. Oof, that was close. It was definitely dipping.
05:37 PM BST
33 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
McCabe sends in a tasty cross - Lyon are giving the Gunners so much time and space on the ball - and Arsenal once again fashion a chance from out wide. It’s a fine effort from McCabe but nobody is there to meet it in the Lyon box. Montemurro cuts a frustrated figure in Lyon’s box.. and you can see why, as another promising Arsenal attack finishes in Caldentey trying her luck from far out with a left-footed curling effort, but she’s put too much on it.
05:34 PM BST
30 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
Gilles goes down in the penalty area as Bacha sends in a cross. Fox looked like she was holding her a bit but the referee tells her to get up. Daphne van Domselaar’s turn to receive treatment. Both teams use the pause in play to take soak up some instructions from their respective camps on the sidelines.
05:32 PM BST
29 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
Melchie Dumornay goes down after a slightly clumsy tackle from McCabe, but the Arsenal player isn’t penalised. Catley is now down receiving some treatment. Looks a sore one that she might be able to run off, although Amanda Illestedt has been sent to warm-up..
05:30 PM BST
27 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
Caldentey intercepts a sloppy pass as Lyon and sends in an inch-perfect ball towards Russo and the Lioness is in the perfect position - she gets a great connection with her header - but she’s directed it well wide of the post. Huge change gone begging there. She screams in frustration.
05:27 PM BST
27 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
You can hear Montemurro’s shouts from the touchline, urging his side to get higher up the pitch. But Arsenal remain in possession.. they look really assured and have done so well so far to stress Lyon in the wider channels. It’s been a clean and confident display so far.
05:26 PM BST
25 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
Renard pings through a deep, long ball upfield towards Diani but McCabe tracks back well to shut out the Frenchwoman, forcing a corner. There’s a lot of bodies in the box and a white shirt fails to get their header down convincingly, they work it back towards the box and Gilles, the Canadian international, gets her head to it but her effort is well off target.
05:23 PM BST
20 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
Lyon passing it around at at the back, trying to take the sting out Arsenal’s momentum. The hosts win it back and counter and this time it’s McCabe who heads towards goal but it’s too tame. Lyon need to get a foothold in this contest because at the moment Arsenal are the team who look ready to score next.
05:19 PM BST
15 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
Ellie Carpenter steers away a dangerously low cross with Caitlin Foord on her shoulder - it’s already proving to be a great battle between the pair of Australians - and Arsenal have another corner. Kelly whips in a powerful delivery towards Little - Lyon have looked really shaky at the set-piece -but this time Endler punches clear. But Arsenal win back possession and come again through Williamson, whose cross is too deep.
05:15 PM BST
10 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal (2-2)
Arsenal went straight into a huddle after scoring that leveller - and manager Renee Slegers kept celebrations to a minimum on the touchline. The Gunners need to concentrate and not let this early lead slip. They’ve been so positive in these opening exchanges and have a stride in their step, with Russo and Kelly both already seeing a lot of the ball. Caldentey tries a long range shot from afar but it’s a comfortable enough take for Endler at her far post.
05:10 PM BST
5 mins Lyon 0 - 1 Arsenal - GOAL ARSENAL! (2-2)
Arsenal have an early chance through Kim Little after some industrious work from Caitlin Foord but the Scot pokes through a shot which the Lyon keeper Endler gets a glove to. It’s sloppy defending from the hosts and Arsenal have a corner. It comes in and there’s a massive mix-up in the middle between the Lyon centre backs.. it hits Christiane Endler’s back and goes into her own net. It was a terrible miscommunication between her and Wendie Renard. Endler mistimed her move off her line and couldn’t get the ball... for some reason the goal has been given to Alessia Russo, but it’s definitely comes off Endler and trickles over the line and into the net. Arsenal are level in the tie! 2-2 on aggregate.. it’s a dream start from the visitors.
05:06 PM BST
2 mins Lyon 0 - 0 Arsenal (2-1)
Arsenal start brightly and win a corner. It’s sent in deeply towards Leah Williamson, who can’t quite bring the ball under control and Lyon can clear. The hosts counter and Diani works a nice pocket of space down the wing and whips in an inviting cross for Chawinga, but the Gunners deal with it.
05:02 PM BST
A minute’s silence for the Pope..
.. both teams line the centre circle and pause to honour the late Pope.
05:00 PM BST
The teams have emerged..
..and have lined up for the women’s Champions League anthem. Is it an anthem? Think so. Arsenal have their game faces on.
04:59 PM BST
In case you missed it..
Earlier today, Chelsea were convincingly beaten 4-1 at Stamford Bridge by Barcelona - surrendering to an 8-2 defeat on aggregrate - as their dreams of becoming the first English team to win European honours since Arsenal in 2007 were well and truly crushed. A lot of food for Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, Emma Hayes’ successor, who was ultimately recruited by the club to win the competition.
04:52 PM BST
A full circle manager moment
Joe Montemurro, the Lyon manager who was at the helm of Arsenal for five years from 2017-2021, mentored Renee Slegers on a UEFA coaching programme.
04:41 PM BST
Can Arsenal draw on recent history?
Lyon are a side who don’t lose many games, but they came unstuck against the Gunners in 2022 in their own back yard when they were outclassed by the London club in the group stages under former manager Jonas Eidevall, in one of their greatest ever European performances. Caitlin Foord, Frida Maanum and Beth Mead, who all started for Slegers last week Saturday, were on the score sheet. Against Lyon at the Emirates last Saturday, they put 25 crosses into the penalty area but failed to make use of them. Today they’ll have to deal with the added aerial threat of Renard, too, so the job doesn’t get any easier.
04:33 PM BST
Half an hour until kick off
04:29 PM BST
Can Arsenal stage a comeback?
Lyon, a powerhouse of women’s European football, have only been knocked out of the competition twice in 15 years after winning the first leg in the knockout stage - so the probability gods are firmly against Arsenal. Although, on those occasions, it was to the old away goals rule, which no longer applies. A reminder that Arsenal haven’t reached the Champions League final since the year the club won the competition in 2007, when it was known as the Uefa Cup. Karen Carney, who is in the TNT Sports studio on punditry duties for today’s match, was part of that Gunners side.
04:20 PM BST
Good evening
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Lyon v Arsenal in the second semi-final of the women’s Champions League.
The Gunners are trailing 2-1 to the French giants and eight-time European champions after slipping to defeat in the first leg, so Renee Sleger’s side need to deliver a clinical performance this evening if they are to have a chance of progressing to the final.
Let’s take a look at how the teams line up.
Club stalwart Wendy Renard is returns after missing the first leg through injury and makes her landmark 500th club appearance. The defender is one of two changes to last week’s victorious Joe Montemurro side.
All-time record Champions League goal scorer Ada Hegerberg is in for Danielle van de Donk.
Lyon Endler, Bacha, Gilles, Renard, Carpenter, Egurrola, Heaps, Chawinga, Dumornay, Diani, Hegerberg.
Subs: Benkarth, Huerta, Nelhage, Sombath, Svava, Tarciane, Dabritz, Majri, Morazsan, Van de Donk, Becho, Le Sommer.
Two changes for Renne Slegers to the Arsenal side that lost to Lyon in the first leg.
Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar returns from injury to start ahead of Manuela Zinsberger while Chloe Kelly is favoured over Beth Mead.
Arsenal Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Mariona, Little, McCabe, Maanum, Kelly, Foord, Russo.
Subs: Zinsberger, Williams, Wubben-Moy, Ilestedt, Reid, Nighswonger, Walti, Cooney-Cross, Pelova, Kafaji, Mead, Blackstenius.
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