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Arsenal achieved a remarkable feat by advancing to their first Women’s Champions League final since 2007, with a resounding 4-1 victory over Lyon at the Groupama Stadium. The match featured an own goal by Christiane Endler, along with goals from Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo, and Caitlin Foord.
The atmosphere in the southeast of France on match day was electric. Local bars buzzed with fans soaking up the sun, anticipating the game ahead. Among them, hundreds of traveling Arsenal supporters dressed in their iconic red and white exuded a mix of joy and cautious optimism regarding their team’s chances after a tough 2-1 defeat in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite that setback, the Arsenal fanbase remained hopeful, recalling numerous occasions when the team had battled back from difficult situations. This optimism was echoed by the players, who exhibited a strong belief in their ability to turn the tie around. Renée Slegers emphasized the importance of staying humble while looking to capitalize on Lyon’s weaknesses.
In preparation for the match, Arsenal’s manager made two significant changes to the lineup. A notable return was Daphne van Domselaar, who had been sidelined by an ankle injury. Her inclusion was unexpected, given the initial prognosis of a lengthy recovery. Chloe Kelly replaced Beth Mead in the attacking setup.
On the other side, Lyon’s coach also made adjustments, reintroducing seasoned players into the mix. Wendie Renard, now fully fit, marked her 500th appearance for the club, and Ada Hegerberg—the all-time top scorer in the Women’s Champions League—was brought back to spearhead the offense, prompting Melchie Dumornay to step into a deeper midfield role.
Arsenal started the match on the front foot, strongly contrasting with their sluggish performance in the first leg. The Gunners exploited the wide spaces available, reminiscent of their previous visit to Lyon in 2022 when they secured a 5-1 victory. It didn’t take long for them to find the net, leveling the aggregate score within five minutes. A corner kick resulted in confusion in the Lyon defense, culminating in an unfortunate own goal from Endler after a crucial intervention from Frida Maanum.
Arsenal’s defense had to navigate some anxious moments, yet they held firm, limiting Lyon to just a single shot on target in the first half. Foord tested Endler’s resolve again, but it was Russo whose unmarked header went astray.
This match showcased Arsenal’s knack for capitalizing at crucial moments, as they doubled their lead just before halftime. Caldentey, a standout signing this season, delivered a stunning curling shot for her seventh goal of the tournament, leaving Lyon visibly rattled.
The second half brought further troubles for Lyon, as Foord and Maanum dominated their challenges to assist in Russo’s goal. Arsenal’s confidence surged as they added a fourth goal after a costly mistake from Lyon defender Vanessa Gilles, sealing their dominance in the contest.
As the game drew to a close, Lyon managed to score a consolation goal through Dumornay. However, Arsenal’s tenacity ensured that they held their ground, marking a historic victory. With this win, the Gunners will face reigning champions Barcelona in the Champions League final in Lisbon on May 24, following Barcelona’s aggregate victory over Chelsea earlier that day.
Source
www.theguardian.com