Arsenal vs Lyon live: Gunners’ Women’s Champions League defence begins with defeat to eight-time champions

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The Independent

·7 October 2025

Arsenal vs Lyon live: Gunners’ Women’s Champions League defence begins with defeat to eight-time champions

Arsenal’s defence of their Womens’ Champions League title got off to an inauspicious start as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to eight-time champions Lyon.

Alessia Russo put the hosts in front at Meadow Park with a sweetly-timed shot from an excellent Beth Mead pass, just seven minutes into proceedings.

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But two terrible defensive errors cost them dearly, with keeper Daphne van Domselaar at fault for Lyon’s equaliser as Melchie Dumornay latched onto a poor pass out of the area.

Five minutes later Dumornay secured the double, with Lyon closing down Mariona Caldentey and playing it forward to Haiti international, who planted a screamer past van Domselaar.

Arsenal had chances to get back into it but ultimately could not break down a superb Lyonnais defence, with the French giants continuing their formidable unbeaten start to the season.