28-04-2025
Sam Kerr's dream comeback ruined as Caitlin Foord delivers setback for Matildas teammate
Sam Kerr's chances of a dream comeback in the Champions League have been dashed, while Aussie star Caitlin Foord delivered Ellie Carpenter a brutal blow in their knockout tie. Arsenal visited Lyon with the tough task of overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit after going down to the French outfit at home.
But Foord helped Arsenal pull off a remarkable comeback as she tormented Matildas teammate Carpenter down her wing throughout the second-leg. Carpenter was aiming for her third Champions League trophy with the all-conquering Lyon side, but endured a horror night as her side of the field was exposed time and time again.
Lyon's Australian coach Joe Montemurro was left without answers as the team capitulated in stunning fashion in front of their from fans. The errors started when Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler misjudged a corner only five minutes into the game, which saw it hit her back and bounce into the goal.
And it didn't stop there after Mariona Caldentey scored a stellar strike to make it 2-0, before Arsenal's Alessio Russo took advantage of Lyon's defensive errors to score 30 seconds after second-half started.
Foord was able to get in on the action after Lyon centre back Vanessa Gilles slipped. This allowed Foord to pounce on the loose ball and fire home in the 63rd minute. This all but sealed the victory for Arsenal to take them to the Champions League final with a 4-1 win.
"I mean it is incredible. To come into the game a goal down, it didn't phase us. We thought we played really well at home," Foord said to TNT Sport. "To come here, we just knew if we played our game we could do it. I didn't expect it to be like that, but I will take that. I think we came out well and started fast and you get rewarded when you get the built the confidence more and more."
Foord might have been hoping to meet fellow-English side Chelsea in the showpiece event, but instead it will be Barcelona after the Spanish side obliterated the soon-to-be English champs in the semi-final. Chelsea have not lost a game in the Women's Super League this year, despite Kerr not featuring due to an ACL injury that has kept her out all season.
"Anything can happen in the final..."Arsenal's Caitlin Foord is already looking forward to the challenge Barcelona will present in the Champions League final 🤝
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 27, 2025
Kerr was potentially eyeing a return in the Champions League final if they usurped Barcelona in the semi. But Chelsea met their match with Barcelona hammering the London-based side 8-2 across the two legs.
Barcelona will be going for their third-straight Champions League title and will be heavy favourites after their demolition of Chelsea. Kerr now won't feature in the Champions League this campaign and will turn her attention to the final few WSL games as she looks to make a return.
Chelsea have once again fallen short of winning the Champions League having made the final back in 2021, only to be hammered 4-0 that day by Barcelona. And it appears they still can't get past the Barcelona hurdle. And Kerr's fans are still waiting to find out when the forward will make a return after her recovery continues.
Earlier this month, Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor delivered a blow to fans hoping to see Kerr back in action, revealing the Matildas star is still "a few weeks" away from being ready. And the coach placed further doubt on Kerr's return suggesting she might not feature this season at all.
"Sam is progressing in her rehab but I don't have enough elements to say we will see her this season. Hopefully yes but it's difficult for me to say," she said before the Champions League clash. Kerr was back in Matildas camp for their two friendlies against South Korea last weekend, but is still sidelined as she recovers from an ACL injury.
Chelsea are playing it extremely cautiously due to the fact it's Kerr's second in her career and she hasn't been rushed back to competition. Unfortunately, while Chelsea have already won the League Cup, and can add the Women's Super League and FA Cup to their campaign, the Champions League is now out of reach. And Kerr will be hoping to make a comeback before the end of the year and play in a historic season for Chelsea.
