Melchie Dumornay scored an 82nd-minute winner as Lyon stunned Arsenal to win the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final 2-1 at the Emirates.
Mariona Caldentey had equalised for the home side four minutes prior to the eventual winner after Arsenal, who struggled to replicate the form shown in their midweek 5-1 win over Leicester, had fallen behind to Kadidiatou Diani’s goal.
But after Calendtey’s penalty, Lyon’s front three caused further issues for Arsenal’s backline and Dumornay was on hand to steal the win on foreign soil ahead of the return leg next week.
“To let the second goal in like that is very frustrating.”@fara_williams47 reacts to Arsenal''s late defeat at the Emirates 📉
🎙️ @Becky_Ives_ | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/2VjpmUatFX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 19, 2025
Arsenal looked a shadow of the side which mounted a fightback from two-goals down against Real Madrid in the last round as Lyon took the lead in the 17th minute.
There was a sense of physical vulnerability from the Gunners’ back four against Lyon’s front three and this was demonstrated when Diani held her line, burst away from her marker and drilled her effort into the bottom left corner for 1-0.
Frida Maanum missing a free header from yards out summed up a frustrating start to proceedings for the north Londoners as Lyon continued their onslaught.
Lyon’s press prevented Arsenal from finding rhythm with their players accustomed to the luxury of sides sitting deep against them in the Women’s Super League.
After Selma Bacha and Dumornay pressured Emily Fox into a loose pass on halfway, Dumornay spotted Manuela Zinsberger off her line and speculatively tried to lob her, with her effort cannoning off the bar in what would have been a goal-of-the-competition contender.
Not long after, Arsenal through Alessia Russo were denied by the bar themselves and this set the tone for a rejuvenated spell after the break where they almost drew level.
However, they continued to rue missed opportunities against their well-drilled opponents, with Maanum once again failing to guide a free header on target after Beth Mead’s cross in the 61st.
But Arsenal’s best chance arrived in the 78th minute. A VAR review deemed Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler’s attempt to punch the ball instead connected with Leah Williamson as the Gunners were awarded a penalty.
The technical and composed Caldentey was the one to step up and she buried her spot kick into the bottom right corner as Arsenal finally put their poor first-half showing behind them with an equaliser.
But Lyon’s front three was a continuous threat and a single lapse of concentration to let the speedy Dumornay through the gap saw the striker steal the win with a drilled finish to the left of Zinsberger just four minutes later.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
