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 at the Emirates Stadium.
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, cutting inside before beating Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar with a confident finish.
Arsenal thought they had been offered a way back into the game when they were awarded a penalty five minutes after the restart, but the decision was overturned after a VAR check.
However, the Gunners were level in the 58th minute when Mariona Caldentey’s low free-kick found its way into the net after Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler mishandled the ball and the unfortunate Ingrid Engen touched it into her own goal.
Lyon threatened to re-take the lead when Kadidiatou Diani rattled the crossbar, but it was Arsenal who scored again. Endler and Engen had a moment of miscommunication, and Olivia Smith showed perseverance to poke the ball home in the 83rd minute.
The two sides met at the same stage of the competition last season, with Arsenal winning 5-3 on aggregate before going on to lift the trophy against Barcelona in the final. The second leg takes place in Lyon next weekend.
