Caitlin Foord on target as Arsenal produce stunning Women's Champions League semifinal victory over Lyon
Three Matildas helped Arsenal to a famous Women's Champions League semifinal triumph at all-conquering Lyon, with Caitlin Foord finding the target in a remarkable 4-1 win to set up a final against champions Barcelona.
Foord celebrated with fellow Australia internationals Steph Catley and substitute Kyra Cooney-Cross as the Gunners overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit in France.
The home club, eight-time European champions, were left stunned and crestfallen, with Lyon's Australian manager Joe Montemurro having seen his side capitulate to the club he once managed so successfully in England.
It was also a massive disappointment for Lyon full-back Ellie Carpenter, whose dream of a third Champions League winner's medal was shattered after she'd been tormented all afternoon down her right flank by the excellent Foord.
Arsenal now faces its ultimate test in the final in Lisbon on May 24 against a rampant Barcelona side who had earlier outclassed Chelsea 4-1 for a second time in a week, sealing an 8-2 aggregate victory and a shot at a third-straight crown.
Loading Twitter content
It was also the end of any faint hopes the injured Sam Kerr may have harboured of making a return to Chelsea's ranks for the biggest match in women's football.
Instead Chelsea's London rivals Arsenal will go to the Alvalade Stadium, after a 5-3 aggregate win which felt wholly unexpected amid an accident-prone showing from Europe's most celebrated women's club.
Lyon keeper Christiane Endler began the shambles after misjudging a fifth-minute corner, with an attempted clearance then hitting her on the back and bouncing in for an own goal.
Mariona Caldentey's superb strike made it two before Alessio Russo cashed in on a succession of defensive errors to score 30 seconds after the resumption.
In the 63rd minute, Lyon centre back Vanessa Gilles slipped and fell in her own area, allowing Foord to pounce on the gift to hammer home gleefully.
That really sealed the deal even before Melchie Dumornay grabbed an 81st-minute consolation.
At Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, Barcelona was again in a different league to the English champions, just as in Catalonia seven days earlier.
Kerr was still not ready to return to action after more than a year out with her ACL injury but even the Australian captain's presence could hardly have helped the Blues against the slick visitors.
It was the end of another European dream for Kerr and Chelsea, who reached the final back in 2021, only to be routed 4-0 that day by Barcelona.
AAP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
19 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Fremantle chief Simon Garlick rages over Melbourne comments on Luke Jackson
Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick has taken a swipe at Melbourne's leaders over public comments that fuelled AFL trade speculation around star ruckman Luke Jackson. Demons coach Simon Goodwin last month signalled his strong interest in luring 2021 premiership player Jackson back to the club. Goodwin said 'we'd certainly be interested' if Jackson, who is contracted to the Dockers until the end of 2029, became available. Dees captain Max Gawn also hinted at Jackson's possible return in a radio interview, but later apologised for his comments, which he said were intended as a joke. The speculation around Jackson — whose partner, former Australian netball star Kelsey Brown, is from Victoria — has come amid rumours around Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett's possible interest in joining Fremantle. However, Pickett is now set to stay put, with the Demons tabling a monster nine-year deal. Garlick on Wednesday dismissed the suggestion of a Pickett-Jackson trade and hit back at Melbourne. 'To borrow an infamous line from Will Smith, I think Melbourne should take our players' names out of their mouths,' Garlick said on SEN radio. 'It's interesting. Hearing the captain and coach speak specifically on Luke was really disappointing. 'It's not a practice that we engage in, but that's their prerogative.' Jackson has starred for Fremantle this season, splitting his time in the ruck, midfield and forward-line. 'He's in phenomenal form,' Garlick said. 'He's an unbelievable character around the footy club in terms of his enthusiasm, his infectious nature, he's a great teammate and we just love having him being a part of the club. 'He's clearly signed for a long period of time, he loves the footy club, and you can see that in both his actions and his words. 'It (letting Jackson go) is not even a consideration for us ... he's a cornerstone of our club for a long time to come.' In March, Jackson said he 'definitely will' be a Fremantle player long-term and ruled out a move back to Victoria when asked directly about the prospect by reporters. Garlick also brushed off trade rumours around 21-year-old midfielder Neil Erasmus, who is out of contract. 'We see him again as a really important part of the midfield,' Garlick said. Meanwhile, Fremantle youngsters Isaiah Dudley and Aiden Riddle have both signed one-year contract extensions to remain on the club's rookie list until the end of next season. Exciting small forward Dudley has kicked eight goals in nine games this season, including two as the starting substitute, while ruck-forward Riddle is yet to debut.
Sky News AU
26 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
Qantas launches huge sale on premium seats
Ooops, an error has occurred! Please call us on 1800 070 535 and we'll help resolve the issue or try again later. The Streaming Subscription provides Australians access to top rating opinion shows, award-winning political coverage, live breaking news, sport and weather, expert business insights and groundbreaking documentaries across four dedicated news channels for $5 a month. This includes: Sky News – Australia's news channel featuring award-winning journalists, insights from the biggest names in opinion, ground-breaking special investigations, and live breaking news, sport and weather. Available live and on-demand. Sky News Extra – A dedicated 24/7 channel featuring live press conferences and Parliament broadcasts, with unfiltered access to Australian democracy in action. Available live. Sky News Weather – Australia's only 24/7 weather channel bringing you the latest weather forecasts from the country's largest team of meteorologists. Available live. FOX SPORTS News – Australia's only 24/7 sports news channel, first and live in breaking sports news. Available live. Stream Sky News channel shows in full live and on-demand on or the Sky News Australia app and cast to your compatible TV. For the best streaming experience, stream your favourite Sky News shows on your compatible Smart TV. For a step-by-step guide on how to sign in on your Smart TV or to find out if your Smart TV is compatible, visit our help page. There is no lock-in contract when you subscribe to a Streaming Subscription. Renewals occur automatically unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions . The Streaming Subscription is not available outside of Australia. If overseas (excluding New Zealand), you can access your favourite Sky News Australia programs by signing up to Australia Channel. Sky News Australia's international 24/7 news streaming service. Find out more here. You can continue to access digital-only content, video highlights, and listen to the latest podcasts without a subscription on our website and app. The Streaming Subscription gives subscribers live stream access to unrivalled news and opinion content across four dedicated news channels 24/7.
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Brisbane super-gran qualifies for Hyrox World Championships
It is hard enough to complete a Hyrox circuit but 62-year-old Australian Sue Rogers is not afraid of the difficult. The Brisbane mother-of-three and grandmother-to-five is in Chicago to compete in the world championships of the viral fitness craze which has surged in popularity thanks to its addictive races. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Australian grandmother to compete in world championships of new fitness craze. Think of Hyrox like an Olympics for everyday gym-goers. There is a series of eight 1km runs split by eight different fitness stations including walking lunges, sled pulls and pushes, wall balls and burpee broad jumps. It is not for the faint-hearted but Rogers smashed the event when she competed in Brisbane in March this year. She qualified third fastest for her age group (60-64) and is one of 10,000 people at the championships this week. She is representing Australia and proving age is just a number. 'My five grandchildren, one on the way, they do push-ups with me,' she told 7NEWS. 'They say, 'Where's nana? Oh yeah, she's exercising'.' Rogers has reasons beyond fitness to keep her moving. 'My 'why' is to keep mobile and strong right into my more mature years — I don't know, 100-plus,' she told 7NEWS. 'I do it for the enjoyment, the feeling, the connection. 'Community and connection are my highest value, it floats my boat.' Rogers also coaches at BFT Everton Park where the 'weapon' is getting others ready to enter their first Hyrox event in Sydney at the start of July. '(Rogers is) so positive, her energy is very infectious,' one person in her class said. Rogers will race on Friday.
