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Arsenal beat Lyon 2-1 in women’s Champions League semi

From The Punch · (5m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Arsenal defeated Lyon 2-1 in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final, coming from behind.
  • Lyon took the lead through Jule Brand, but an own goal from Ingrid Engen and a late strike from Olivia Smith secured the win for Arsenal.
  • The second leg will be played in Lyon next weekend, with Arsenal holding a narrow advantage.

European champions Arsenal secured a crucial 2-1 victory over French giants Lyon in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final clash at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners displayed resilience, overcoming an early deficit to capitalize on defensive errors from their formidable opponents.

Lyon's Chilean goalkeeper #01 Christiane Endler (R) punches the ball from Arsenal's Swedish striker #25 Stina Blackstenius (2nd R) during the women's UEFA Champions League first-leg semi-final football match between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes at the Emirates Stadium, north London, on April 26, 2026.

— AFPDescribing a key moment in the match.

Lyon, who had been leading through Jule Brand's strike, were undone by a combination of misfortune and Arsenal's persistence. An own goal by Ingrid Engen, following a goalkeeping fumble by Christiane Endler, leveled the score before Olivia Smith pounced on another defensive lapse late in the game to snatch the lead for the home side.

European champions Arsenal capitalised on two terrible defensive blunders by Lyon on Sunday to come from behind and win the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final 2-1.

— AFPSummarizing the match outcome and key factors.

This win provides Arsenal with a slender advantage heading into the second leg in Lyon. The tie echoes last season's semi-final encounter between the two clubs, which Arsenal ultimately won before going on to lift the trophy. The return fixture promises to be an intense affair as Lyon seeks to overturn the deficit on home soil.

The French league leaders went ahead in the 18th minute when Jule Brand scored with the visitors’ only shot on target in the first half.

— AFPDetailing Lyon's opening goal.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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