Arsenal Women will take a 2-1 lead to France after an excellent second-half comeback against Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
On Sunday, Arsenal women took on Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, hoping to make the final as they defend their trophy.
After a solid start in which Lyon were allowed to put in a number of heavy challenges on Arsenal players (mostly on Olivia Smith), Lyon’s quality alongside poor Arsenal defending, cut the Gunners wide open to take the lead with 20 minutes on the clock.
It was to be the only shot they would be allowed in the match, and that’s was the scoreline at half-time.
In the second half, however, Arsenal came out flying and within five minutes Kim Little, bursting in to the box, was fouled. The referee pointed to the spot.
VAR, however, called the ref to the monitor as this ‘touched the ball’ nonsense continues to infect football. Nowhere in the rules does it mention getting the ball as being relevant and the Lyon captain’s touch on the ball was so minimal Little would have had it at her feet in front of goal, had she not been fouled.
Nevertheless, it was overturned.
Less than 10 minutes later, Set Piece FC and Own Goal FC combined to level in hilarious fashion. A free kick, slid harmlessly into the box was fumbled by the Lyon keeper, sending it spinning towards the goal and in off the post. 1-1.
Arsenal pushed and dominated, searching for a winner. With less than 10 minutes remaining, Smith’s speed and determination forced an error in the centre of Lyon’s defence between their centreback and keeper. Smith got a toe in and took it from both of them as they collided with each other, leaving her to slot into an empty net.
It was the perfect response to the kicking she took all afternoon. Arsenal finally had the lead they deserved and were able to see it by smothering the life out of Lyon.
The game finished with Arsenal having 16 shots and making six fouls while Lyon had six shots and 16 fouls.
Leah Williamson returned to the starting lineup and we already knew that Steph Catley had not recovered from the calf problem she picked up at the start of the month.
Beth Mead was left out due to personal reasons (as was her partner, Vivianne Miedema from City’s squad this weekend for the same reason).
Chloe Kelly, however, was a surprise omission, missing out with a ‘small’ muscular issue according to Sylvain Jamet.
The other semi-final first leg, between Bayern Munich and Barcelona finished 1-1.
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