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:
Arsenal vs Lyon LIVE
- Arsenal beaten 2-1 by Lyon in first leg of Women's Champions League semi-final at the Emirates
- Goals from Diani and Dumornay give eight-time champions Lyon an advantage heading into next week's second leg
- REPORT: Arsenal shocked by blow they didn’t see coming in Champions League semi-finals
- 82' GOAL! Dumornay's neat finish after stunning move puts Lyon back in front (ARS 1-2 LYO)
- 78' GOAL! Caldentey clamly slots home penalty to level (ARS 1-1 LYO)
- 45+1' CROSSBAR! Russo's header loops back off the bar (ARS 0-1 LYO)
- 33' CROSSBAR! Dumornay's audacious lob clatters the woodwork (ARS 0-1 LYO)
- 17' GOAL! Diani springs the offside trap and finishes superbly (ARS 0-1 LYO)
Arsenal shocked by blow they didn’t see coming in Champions League semi-finals
15:12 , Luke BakerIt was the burst of light to silence the noise of the Emirates. Arsenal had Lyon on the ropes, clawing themselves level at last through Mariona Caldentey’s penalty after subjecting the eight-time Women’s Champions League winners to an onslaught of pressure.
A 1-1 draw to take into the semi-final second leg would have been felt deserved and, if anything, Arsenal may have come away regretting their missed chances against the French champions.
But, thanks to the sensational Melchie Dumornay, Arsenal require another comeback if they are to reach their first Champions League final since 2007. The dramatic late intervention from the best young player in the world came four minutes after Caldentey’s equaliser and was the sucker-punch Arsenal did not see coming.
For Dumornay, the 21-year-old Haitian star, her surging run through the middle of Emily Fox and Steph Catley and finish over Manuela Zinsberger was the moment she properly announced her arrival on the European stage.
Read Jamie Braidwood’s full report from the Emirates:
Arsenal shocked by a blow they didn’t see coming in Champions League semi-finals
A frustrating afternoon for Arsenal
14:47 , Luke BakerAn ultimately frustrating 90 minutes for Arsenal despite a lot of good things
Arsenal 1-2 Lyon
14:35 , Luke BakerThe second leg will take place next Sunday (April 27) at Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Kick off is at 5pm BST.
It will be an ask for Arsenal to turn this tie around but you never know.
FULL-TIME! Arsenal 1-2 Lyon
14:25 , Luke BakerQuite frankly, that was a brilliant, compelling game of football. Arsenal unlucky not to be heading to the second leg in Lyon next week all level but two lovely goals from Diani and Dumornay bested Caldentey’s penalty.
It will take a remarkable performance from the Gunners in France to reach the final but they showed i spells today that they’re more than capable.
Either way, it was a great way to spend a sunny Easter lunchtime at the Emirates - cracking stuff.
Arsenal 1-2 Lyon, 90+1 mins
14:21 , Luke BakerLate let-off for Arsenal as Lyon come forward again. Zinsberge pushes a shot away and Diani then can’t make contact with the rebound.
Shortly after, Zinsberger is quickly off her line to smother at the feet of Dumornay. Key save.
We’re into five minutes of injury-time.
Arsenal 1-2 Lyon, 89 mins
14:18 , Luke BakerThis has been a high-intensity game and I’m not sure Arsenal have much left in the tank. Lyon are trying to kill this off and get to the second leg with a lead now.
Arsenal 1-2 Lyon, 85 mins
14:15 , Luke BakerCan Arsenal dig deep and come again? That Lyon goal came out of the blue.
They bring on Victoria Pelova and Lia Walti for Foord and Russo. Ada Hegerberg is also on for Lyon.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-2 Lyon (Melchie Dumornay, 82 mins)
14:12 , Luke BakerOh no! Out of nowhere, Lyon are back in front. It’s a stunning counter-attack goal. One-touch football from the French side, right through the centre of Arsenal’s midfield.
Majri’s pass sends Dumornay on her way, she slices between Fox and Catley and finishes calmly beyond Zinsberger. A hammer blow.
Arsenal 1-1 Lyon, 81 mins
14:10 , Luke BakerArsenal fully deserved that equaliser - they’ve been by far the better team in this second half. Can they go on to nick a winner now?
They’re still coming forward and Kelly goes for goal from range but it’s over the bar
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Lyon (Mariona Caldentey, pen 78 mins)
14:07 , Luke BakerChloe Kelly initially takes the ball but that’s just to take any flak from the Lyon players. She hands it to World Cup winner Mariona Caldentey to actually take.
And Caldentey scores! Calmly done, sending Endler the wrong way and Arsenal are level! Huge.
PENALTY! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 75 mins
14:06 , Luke BakerWilliamson tackles Dumornay in the Lyon half to launch another attack, Caldentey flicks a great ball through but the French defence force it out for a corner.
The cross comes in, Williamson throws herself at it with a front-post run but a flick in front of her from Blackstenius means she can’t quite make contact.
Hold on... We’ve got a VAR check for a penalty. Endler tried to punch clear but missed the ball and appeared to make contact with Williamson. The referee jogs over to the monitor and AWARDS ARSENAL A PENALTY! HUGE MOMENT
Arsenal weren’t even appealing but this is a huge lifeline for Arsenal.
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 73 mins
14:02 , Luke BakerLyon have steadied the ship a little after that breathless period of Arsenal pressure and chances.
The gunners are still dominating possession but struggling to create another clear-cut chance.
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 67 mins
13:56 , Luke BakerKelly whips in a corner that Endler flaps at, it’s almost through to Williamson at the back post but she can’t connect cleanly. Wow! Arsenal are all over Lyon here.
The French champions react by bringing on the experienced Amel Majri for Van de Donk.
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 64 mins
13:54 , Luke BakerBreathless stuff! A rare mistake from Endler as she gives the ball away but scrambles back and seizes on the loose ball when it’s put into the box. She’ll be the most relieved woman at the Emirates.
Caitlin Foord then makes an ill-advised lunge at Diani after losing the ball and brings her down from behind. Foord is on a yellow card already... But the referee decides to give nothing more than a foul. Foord is a lucky, lucky player there - it probably should be a second booking and a red card. She can’t afford to do that again.
CHANCE! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 62 mins
13:52 , Luke BakerAnother golden chance for Arsenal! Mead puts a header back across goal and Maanum has to score at the back post but can’t quite connect with the header and it dribbles wide.
Looks like it may have been offside anyway but the Gunners had to score.
A couple of Arsenal subs as Chloe Kelly and Stina Blackstenius come on for Beth Mead and Frida Maanum
CHANCE! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 60 mins
13:50 , Luke BakerGorgeous cross from Maanum. Fizzed perfectly into the danger area, Mead ghosts into space, stoops and has a free header but it’s over the bar! That was a big chance - Mead has to hit the target.
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 58 mins
13:46 , Luke BakerLittle absolutely clatters Dumornay midway in the Arsenal half and the Gunners skipper receives a yellow card for her troubles. Dumornay is receiving treatment from the physios, so we’ve got a break in play.
Eventually, the Haitian is back up on her feet and hobbles to the sideline but she’ll try to continue.
The free-kick is probably 30 yards out, with Heaps and Bacha standing over it. USA captain Heaps takes it and goes for goal but the shot bounces once and is straight into the arms of the grateful Zinsberger. A bit too ambitious there
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 55 mins
13:43 , Luke BakerEndler is again so alert as she races out of her area and just beats Foord to a ball, clearing well. The ex-Chile international is so, so good.
SAVE! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 53 mins
13:42 , Luke BakerGood from Arsenal, Fox crosses and it’s nodded behind for a corner. The Gunners fans at the Emirates get VERY loud suddenly - it really has been a great atmosphere today.
McCabe’s corner to the far side of the penalty area is cleared. But it’s back in, Maanum has a shot deflected, Endler rushes off her line, makes herself big and brilliantly stops Foord’s follow-up. Another shot is then cleared by a desperately-lunging defender. That was a really good save by the always-excellent Endler.
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 49 mins
13:39 , Luke BakerSome attacking intent from Arsenal early in the second half but no clear-cut chances yet. McCabe whips ina cross but it’s well-blocked
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon
13:34 , Luke BakerBack underway at the Emirates. What can Arsenal do in this second half?
HALF-TIME! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon
13:24 , Luke BakerPhew! 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
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Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 45+1 mins
13:19 , Jamie BraidwoodAlessia 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.
CROOSBAR! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 45+1 mins
13:19 , Luke BakerVan 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.
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 42 mins
13:13 , Luke BakerAnother 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.
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 39 mins
13:11 , Luke BakerThis has been a rip-roaring first half.
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 36 mins
13:08 , Luke BakerArsenal 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.
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 35 mins
13:08 , Jamie BraidwoodThat 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.
CROSSBAR! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 33 mins
13:07 , Luke BakerIt’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.
CHANCE! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 29 mins
13:03 , Luke BakerThe 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
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 26 mins
12:58 , Luke BakerDiani looking dangerous down the right again, running at Catley, getting to the by-line and dinking a cross towards Dumornay at the back stick. Fox does really well to win the header and nod it behind for a corner.
Then great work-rate from Mead as she closes down Dumornay after the short corner to prevent her getting the cross in and blocks the ball out for a throw. Roar of approval from the Arsenal fans
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 24 mins
12:56 , Luke BakerBetter from the Gunners. Maanum has been Arsenal’s best player so far and she’s involved again as they get to the byline, stand up a cross and Mead attacks it but it’s just flicked away from her by a Lyon defender.
Arsenal were happy to get players into the box there, which is a positive sign.
Arsenal 0-1 Lyon, 22 mins
12:54 , Luke BakerArsenal look a bit shell-shocked after that goal. Lyon surge forward again and Bacha whips in a dangerous cross but Little does well to head clear.
Poor goal for Arsenal to concede
12:51 , Jamie BraidwoodDelayed celebrations for Lyon and a poor opening goal for Arsenal to concede, given the obvious strengths of the French side on the break. There was no pressure on Lindsey Heaps and Kadidiatou Diana was given all the space she needed by Arsenal’s high line, with Emily Fox not stepping up in time. Great finish by Diana but Zinsberger, again, did not look comfortable.
GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Lyon (Kadi Diani, 17 mins)
12:51 , Luke BakerAnd VAR rules that Diani was onside, so the goal is given!
It all came from a Lyon goal-kick as they beat the Arsenal press, the timing of the pass is perfect and Diani’s finish into the corner is sublime.
It was right-back Emily Fox, over the other side of the pitch playing the France star onside. Frustrating for the Gunners
NO GOAL! Arsenal 0-0 Lyon, 16 mins
12:49 , Luke BakerA let-off for Arsenal. Diani is slipped through, races in one on one and calmly finishes past Zinsberger into the corner.
There is VAR today though, so this will be checked...
Arsenal 0-0 Lyon, 15 mins
12:47 , Luke BakerThe best chance of the game so far has been Lyon’s but Arsenal are looking comfortable in possession
Early let off for Zinsberger
12:42 , Jamie BraidwoodArsenal have been boosted by Alessia Russo’s return from injury but are still without first-choice goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar. Manuela Zinsberger’s error in the first-leg defeat to Real Madrid was forgotten after Arsenal’s comeback at the Emirates but the replacement should have been punished here following an early shot by Selma Bacha. Zinsberger palmed it out and it looked easier for Danielle van de Donk to score against her former side. Fortunately for Zinsberger, she put it wide.
Arsenal 0-0 Lyon, 9 mins
12:41 , Luke BakerArsenal corner as Maanum shoots on the turn and it’s deflected wide.
McCabe’s flat delivery is decent but well cleared by Van de Donk.
CHANCE! Arsenal 0-0 Lyon, 6 mins
12:39 , Luke BakerThat should be 1-0 Lyon! Ex-Arsenal star Danielle van de Donk has missed what amounts to a sitter.
Bacha shoots from distance, Zinsberger palms it away but straight to Van de Donk, eight yards out but she puts the rebound wide. Head in hands moment for the Dutch star and a let-off for Arsenal
Arsenal 0-0 Lyon, 4 mins
12:37 , Luke BakerBoos around the Emirates as the ageless Kim Little is penalised for a foul in midfield. Her crime appeared to be using her strength to keep her opposite number away from the ball. Should have been a free-kick the other way, if anything. The crowd are really into this early on
Arsenal 0-0 Lyon, 2 mins
12:34 , Luke BakerArsenal boss Renee Slegers talked about wanting to “grab this game by throat”, so it will be interesting to see what their approach is.
They’ve dominated possession in the early going and they have the first shot of the day as Frida Maanum takes aim but it’s straight at the normally impenetrable Christiane Endler.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal 0-0 Lyon
12:31 , Luke BakerDecent atmosphere at the Emirates and it’s glorious weather. Can Arsenal find a way to take an advantage against the most successful team in Women’s Champions League history back to Lyon for the second leg?
Arsenal v Lyon teams
12:26 , Luke BakerOnly a few minutes until kick-off now. Here’s a reminder how the teams will line up today.
Arsenal XI: Zinsberger; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona; Mead, Maanum, Foord; Russo
Lyon XI: Endler; Carpenter, Gilles, Sombath, Bacha; Egurrola, Van de Donk, Heaps; Diani, Dumornay, Chawinga
An all-English final or repeat of last year?
12:20 , Jamie BraidwoodArsenal have not played a Women’s Champions League final since their last victory in this tournament - although that was under the old format in the Uefa Women’s Cup in 2007.
The last English team to reach the final was Chelsea in 2021, where they were thrashed by Barcelona. And there remains the possibility of an all-English final with the Blues facing Barcelona for the third year running in the semi-finals.
Or, will there be a repeat of last year’s final in Bilboa? Lyon were runners-up last year and will be out for revenge.
Lyon's formidable record in Champions League semi-finals
12:08 , Jamie BraidwoodLyon have won their last 11 Women’s Champions League semi-final ties, although the last time they faced an English team in the knockout stages, against Chelsea in the quarter-finals, they went out on penalties.
Arsenal have lost their last four Women’s Champions League semi-final ties, including against Wolfsburg at this stage two years ago.
Lyon's record in the Women's Champions League
11:40 , Jamie BraidwoodLyon are record eight-time winners of the Champions League and are looking to win their first title since 2022.
They were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Chelsea in 2023 and lost in the final to Barcelona last season in Bilbao.
They won the competition five years in a row between 2016 and 2020.
Arsenal vs Lyon team news
11:28 , Jamie BraidwoodAlessia Russo starts for Arsenal but Chloe Kelly is only fit enough for the bench, though Beth Mead is an excellent replacement as her England team-mate keeps her place on the right wing.
As expected, the injured goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar is replaced by Manuela Zinsberger. Arsenal are otherwise unchanged from the side that defeated Real Madrid 3-0 in the quarter-final second leg.
For Lyon, the big news is that captain Wendie Renard is only on the bench, with Alice Sombath and Vanessa Gilles in defence. Ada Hegerberg is also on the bench, with Kadidiatou Diani, Melchie Dumornay and Tabitha Chawinga starting.
Danielle van de Donk starts in midfield against her former team, alongside United States captain Lindsey Heaps.
The Champions League parallel Arsenal can take into Lyon semi-final
10:40 , Jamie BraidwoodThe early May bank holiday of 2023 is a significant date in Arsenal’s history. It was the first time the club had sold out the Emirates for a women’s match, paving the way for Arsenal to commit to hosting the majority of the team’s games at their main stadium. But, on a defiant, thrilling night in north London, Arsenal were defeated in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals. Wolfsburg progressed 5-4 on aggregate with a goal in the final minute of extra time.
Almost two years on, Arsenal’s semi-final first leg against the eight-time European champions Lyon stands as their biggest match since that historic occasion.
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The Champions League parallel Arsenal can take into Lyon semi-final
