
Arsenal Stun Olympique Lyonnais To Reach Women's Champions League Final
Mariona Caldentey scored a superb goal as Arsenal stunned Lyon in the second leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final on Sunday, a 4-1 win in France taking the English club through to next month's final against Barcelona. Arsenal needed to overturn a 2-1 deficit following the first leg of the last-four clash against the record eight-time Champions League winners, and they levelled the tie on aggregate via goalkeeper Christiane Endler's early own goal. Spain star Caldentey then made it 2-0 for Arsenal on the day to put them ahead overall in first-half stoppage time, and the visitors ran away with the tie after the break.
Alessio Russo scored just 27 seconds after the restart and Caitlin Foord pounced on a calamitous defensive slip to get Arsenal's fourth goal.
Melchie Dumornay, who scored Lyon's winner in the first leg last week, pulled one back for Lyon but it was too little too late for them as Arsenal held out to take the tie 5-3 on aggregate.
Arsenal, who are second in the English Women's Super League behind Chelsea, will now face Barcelona in the final in Lisbon on May 24.
The Catalans qualified earlier on Sunday with a 4-1 win away to Chelsea sealing an 8-2 aggregate triumph.
Barcelona will be the overwhelming favourites as they head into the final looking to win the trophy for the third year running and fourth time overall.
First final in 18 years
Arsenal won the competition in 2007 when it was still known as the UEFA Women's Cup, but they are now through to their first final since then.
It is a remarkable achievement against a side that had won every game in the competition this season coming into the second leg, and who were aiming for their eighth final appearance in the last 10 years.
Lyon held the advantage coming into the return in front of their own fans at the Groupama Stadium, which was nevertheless far from full for the occasion.
They also had captain Wendie Renard back after injury and starting in central defence as the French international made her 500th appearance for the club.
However, Lyon never really recovered from a dreadful start as they fell behind inside five minutes in bizarre circumstances.
Damaris Egurrola tried to head away an Arsenal corner under pressure inside her own six-yard box, but only succeeded in playing the ball off goalkeeper Endler and in to put the visitors in front on the day.
Caldentey then got the crucial second right at the end of the opening half, the former Barcelona player collecting a Russo lay-off and firing high into the net from the edge of the area.
That meant Arsenal now held the lead in the tie, and they went further ahead right from the kick-off in the second half as England international Russo found herself through on goal and fired in.
There was then no way back for Lyon when Arsenal got their fourth on 63 minutes, as Vanessa Gilles slipped when controlling a short pass out by Endler, allowing Australian star Foord to advance and beat the goalkeeper.
Dumornay reduced the deficit inside the final 10 minutes but Lyon needed two more goals to level the tie again and Arsenal held on.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Who made their presence count in the India A vs England Lions unofficial Tests ahead of five-match series?
Karun Nair (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: AAnshul Kamboj starred on the final day with a maiden First-Class fifty and two wickets as India A's second unofficial Test against England Lions ended in a draw on Monday. Chasing an improbable 439-run target in the final session of the four-day match, the Lions stumbled to 32 for 3 before both captains agreed to shake hands. India A will now head to Beckenham to join the senior squad for a four-day intra-squad match scheduled from June 13-16 at the Kent County Cricket Ground. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The first unofficial Test between the two sides in Canterbury had also ended in a draw. Here's a look at the standout performers for India A across the two matches, ahead of the five-match Test series against England: KL RAHUL It was a productive return for Test opener KL Rahul. After missing the first unofficial Test, he made an immediate impact in the second, scoring a composed 116 off 168 deliveries (15 fours, 1 six) in the first innings. He followed it up with a solid 51 in the second innings, taking his match tally to 167 runs at an average of 83.50 and a strike rate of 71.98. With his experience and form, Rahul is expected to strengthen India's top order in the opening Test at Leeds. KARUN NAIR Set to return to the Indian Test side after more than eight years, Karun Nair made the most of his opportunity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like US Homeowners: Stairs Becoming a Problem? Here's a Solution Gaining Popularity Fast! Clear Living Undo The middle-order batter, who became only the second Indian to score a triple century in Tests (after Virender Sehwag), last played in 2017. In his comeback series, Nair was impressive, notching up a double century in the first unofficial Test. He followed it with scores of 40 and 15 in the second game. On current form, Nair appears to be a strong contender for the playing XI in the Leeds Test. MLC: Venky Harinarayan on growing cricket in the USA, AI-driven teams and the Olympic boost SARFARAZ KHAN Despite being left out of the main Test squad for the England series, Sarfaraz Khan made a strong statement with the bat. He struck a fluent 92 in the first innings of the opening unofficial Test, laced with 13 boundaries. The innings was a timely reminder of his quality, especially in testing English conditions, and sent a clear message to the selectors that he's ready if called upon. ABHIMANYU EASWARAN Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran had a mixed series. After a disappointing start with just 8 runs in the first innings of the opening game, he bounced back with a brisk 68 off 87 balls in the second innings. In the second unofficial Test, he was dismissed for 11 in the first innings but recovered with a gritty 80 in the second. Easwaran's overall effort keeps him firmly in the race for a top-order slot in India's Test XI at Leeds.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Bavuma Backs Mulder For WTC Final Vs Australia: '..In A Pressure Situation'
South Africa Temba Bavuma acknowledged Wiaan Mulder's inexperience at number three but backs him to play his natural game. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma acknowledged that all-rounder Wiaan Mulder lacks experience at the top of the batting order after selecting him to bat at number three against Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Mulder has only batted twice at number three in Test matches, scoring 15 against Sri Lanka in November and five against Pakistan in January. He is now preparing to face a formidable Australian attack featuring Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. South Africa has impressive batting depth. Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, who has hit four Test centuries, has moved down to number seven, followed by Marco Jansen, who is both a useful batsman and a dangerous bowler. Bavuma acknowledged that the 27-year-old Mulder was 'quite young in the position" of number three. However, the skipper told reporters at Lord's on the eve of the WTC final that Mulder 'has grown in the last two years in the red-ball format". 'It is about giving him a lot more confidence and allowing him to do what he does best," he said. 'He has an opportunity in a pressure situation and he can take comfort in the fact that the guys are backing him and we just want him to go out and play his natural game." Mulder failed to score a half-century in his first 24 Test innings before making 54 and 105 not out, batting lower down the order in successive Tests against Bangladesh last October. Lungi Ngidi was chosen ahead of Dane Paterson, even though Paterson is more accustomed to the conditions at Lord's, having played English county cricket there for Middlesex this season. Bavuma said it was a tough decision but believed the combination of Ngidi and the medium-paced Mulder would complement the strike power of Kagiso Rabada and Jansen. Bavuma admitted South Africa had been outplayed during their tour of Australia in the 2022/23 series, which the home team won 2-0. However, that period was marked by turmoil in South Africa's Test setup following the resignation of coach Mark Boucher. 'It was a bit of an eye-opener, seeing how their batters went about their business and facing their bowlers and how you are always under pressure," Bavuma said. He added that the series had given him the opportunity to reflect on his own game and that the current team, under coach Shukri Conrad, was better equipped to compete against the Australians. (With inputs from AFP) About the Author Ritayan Basu First Published: June 10, 2025, 22:25 IST


Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
WTC final: Harbhajan backs Australia to retain title, says 'They understand conditions better than SA'
New Delhi: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh backed Australia to retain the World Test Championship (WTC) ahead of the final against South Africa at Lord's due to the former's better acquaintance of English conditions. Pat Cummins-led Australia are eyeing to become the first team to win the WTC twice after previously lifting the mace in 2023, beating India at The Oval in the second edition of the tournament. On the other hand, Temba Bavuma's South Africa will play their first WTC final after topping the standings on the back of winning seven of their last eight matches. Though this might be their first red-ball summit clash, they have become regulars in ICC knockout matches in recent years. 'Australia will come prepared. They've played a lot of cricket in England - Ashes, the last WTC Final - and that experience will count. They understand these conditions better than South Africa. Plus, they're a champion side. The difference lies in how you handle pressure during big matches, and Aussies are masters at that. That's why they've won more trophies than anyone else," Harbhajan said on JioHotstar and Star Sports network. The legendary spinner further praised Cummins' leadership qualities which make him a "very special captain" for Australia. 'Cummins is one of those leaders who brings everyone together. More importantly, he's a proven match-winner with great command in the dressing room. When your team respects and rallies behind you, you win more matches. That's what makes him a very special captain for Australia," the former Indian bowler said. Former India batter and commentator Aakash Chopra also echoed Harbhajan's views on Cummins and termed him a "biggest threat" for the Proteas. 'Pat Cummins is the biggest threat. His leadership, his bowling when there is a partnership, his batting lower down the order - he contributes across departments. He leads from the front and always keeps the opposition under pressure,' he said.