Lyon defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final at the Emirates.
Melchie Dumornay’s 82nd-minute winner gives the French side the advantage of next week’s second leg in Lyon.
Mariona Caldentey had equalised for Arsenal from the penalty spot just four minutes before Dumornay’s drilled strike, after Kadidiatou Diani’s 17th-minute goal gave Joseph Montemurro’s side the lead.
The result continued Lyon’s perfect record in this season’s tournament, winning all nine of their matches, with Arsenal unable to replicate the performance that saw them recover from a two-goal first leg deficit to defeat Real Madrid at the quarter-final stage.
Lyon’s attack caused Arsenal problems all match, with Diani beating the offside trap before a powerful finish into the bottom corner.
Arsenal were unable to make the most of a series of opportunities but were awarded a penalty 12 minutes from time after a video assistant referee review deemed Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler connected with Leah Williamson as she attempted to punch the ball with Caldentey scoring the resultant spot kick.
Dumornay had the final say minutes later with a well-timed run and finish to seal an advantage before the return leg on April 27.
Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers said…
