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Arsenal vs Lyon LIVE: Gunners edged out in thrilling Women’s Champions League semi-final first leg

Arsenal 1-2 Lyon: A thrilling first leg saw both teams throw caution to the wind but goals from Kadi Diani and Melchie Dumornay bested Mariona Caldentey’s penalty, leaving the Gunners with everything to do in France next week

Jamie Braidwood
at the Emirates Stadium
,Luke Baker
Saturday 19 April 2025 15:30 BST
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Arsenal feeling the excitement ahead of UWCL semi-final

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.

Relive all the action from the semi-final first leg with our live blog below:

KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon

Back underway at the Emirates. What can Arsenal do in this second half?

Luke Baker19 April 2025 13:34

HALF-TIME! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon

Phew! What a breathless 45 minutes that was. Lyon deservedly lead through Diani’s classy finish after springing the offside trap but both teams have had chances in an entertaining encounter.

Russo hit the bar for Arsenal just before the break but the Gunners will need to find something after half-time to get back into this tie

(John Walton/PA Wire)
Luke Baker19 April 2025 13:24

Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 45+1 mins

Alessia Russo has barely had a touch for Arsenal but was so close to a seventh Champions League goal in nine games. A frantic and quite scrappy late spell brings the half to a close, where Lyon have displayed their authority at the Emirates.

Jamie Braidwood19 April 2025 13:19

CROOSBAR! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 45+1 mins

Van de Donk absolutely clatters Mead to give Arsenal a free-kick in a dangerous position out on the right.

Good ball in from McCabe, Russo arches her neck back and loops a great header goalwards that seems to have beaten Endler but bounces off the bar! So close just before half-time.

McCabe is then tackled in the box and the Gunners appeal for a penalty but nothing doing.

Luke Baker19 April 2025 13:19

Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 42 mins

Another Arsenal corner - they’re dominating on that count. That’s cleared but there’s another. also comes to nothing.

Lyon have looked the more dangerous from set-pieces.

Luke Baker19 April 2025 13:13

Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 39 mins

This has been a rip-roaring first half.

(AP)
(John Walton/PA Wire)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Luke Baker19 April 2025 13:11

Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 36 mins

Arsenal sticking at this and win the corner but it comes to nothing as Mead’s dink into Catley runs out harmlessly for a goal-kick.

Luke Baker19 April 2025 13:08

Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 35 mins

That was almost sublime from Melchie Dumornay, who is causing Arsenal lots of problems by dropping off the front line. Arsenal appear to be coping better from Lyon’s attempts to play out form the back, with the press forcing a few passes long. But the next goal is crucial and Dumornay was inches away from a spectacular moment.

Jamie Braidwood19 April 2025 13:08

CROSSBAR! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 33 mins

It’s absolutely brilliant by Dumornay and so close to 2-0. Lyon win the ball back and the Haiti international spots Zinsberger off her line.

She floats a chip over the top of the keeper but it clatters the crossbar and bounces away. Sublime but so unlucky!

Zinsberger has looked uncomfortable so far today and this won’t help. She has to be more aware of her surroundings.

Luke Baker19 April 2025 13:07

CHANCE! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 29 mins

The best opportunity Arsenal have had. The ball is whipped in from the left, Mead nods it back across goal from the back post and Maanum is there, eight yards out and central, for the header.

But she somehow contrives to nod the ball wide and she knows what a glorious chance that was

Luke Baker19 April 2025 13:03

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