It was a night of high hopes and raw emotions at the Emirates, as Arsenal faced Lyon in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final.
With more than 40,000 fans filling the stadium, there was an electric atmosphere in north London.
The Gunners were looking to make a statement against one of the most decorated teams in women’s football.
Early Nerves and Lyon’s Warning Shots
The match kicked off with anticipation, but it didn’t take long for the tension to mount.
Lyon wasted no time asserting their dominance, with left-back Selma Bacha testing Arsenal’s goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger early on.
Zinsberger, who was filling in for the injured Daphne von Domselaar, did well to palm away the shot, but former Gunner Danielle van de Donk pounced on the rebound, only to fire into the side netting.
It was clear from the get-go that Lyon wasn’t here to mess around. With a wealth of experience in their squad, including 11 Champions League titles combined in their starting XI, they came to play.
Lyon Takes the Lead
In the 17th minute, Lyon struck first. Australian right-back Ellie Carpenter launched a ball deep to Kadidiatou Diani, who charged into the box and slotted it past Zinsberger.
Though the assistant referee initially flagged Diani for offside, VAR stepped in, revealing that Emily Fox had kept the French forward onside.
With the decision overturned, Diani celebrated, and Lyon took a 1-0 lead.
The early goal deflated the home crowd somewhat.
Arsenal, who had earned a reputation for rising to the occasion, seemed to struggle with Lyon’s pace and physicality.
The visitors were relentless, and shortly after the goal, Melchie Dumornay came close with a stunning 40-yard effort that clipped the crossbar, leaving Zinsberger breathing a sigh of relief.
Arsenal Finds Their Footing
Despite the early setback, Arsenal began to find their rhythm towards the end of the first half.
Alessia Russo, the tournament’s second-highest scorer, rose to meet a cross with a header, but the ball bounced off the crossbar.
Moments later, Arsenal appealed for a penalty after Katie McCabe was involved in a tangle in the box, but VAR saw no reason to intervene.
Second-Half Surge and a Missed Opportunity
The Gunners came out for the second half with renewed energy.
Their intensity was noticeably higher, and the crowd began to rally behind them.
Caitlin Foord nearly found an equalizer early on, picking up the ball in the box and attempting to chip the ball over Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler, but the shot lacked the necessary height.
Foord wasn’t done, though, and soon after, she nearly set up a counterattack, but Endler read the situation perfectly, racing out to stop the danger.
Arsenal continued to press, with Beth Mead and Frida Maanum both having chances, but neither could find the back of the net with headers.
A Lifeline and a Quick Response from Lyon
In a dramatic turn, Arsenal was awarded a penalty after Leah Williamson was brought down by Endler in the box.
The referee initially didn’t react, but after being called to the monitor, she pointed to the spot. Mariona Caldentey kept her cool, sending Endler the wrong way to level the score at 1-1.
However, Arsenal’s joy was short-lived. Just four minutes later, Lyon’s pace once again proved decisive.
Melchie Dumornay broke free from the chase of Arsenal’s fastest player, Emily Fox, and ran into the box, firing past Zinsberger to put Lyon back ahead.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
With Lyon leading 2-1, Arsenal now faces a tough task in the second leg in France next Sunday.
They’ll need to regroup, sharpen their game, and find a way to overcome one of the top teams in European football.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this semi-final.