Arsenal women learn Champions League semi-final opponents | OneFootball

Arsenal Women will face Lyon in the Champions League semi-finals after the French side overturned their first-leg deficit against Wolfsburg to come through after extra time.

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Having lost 1-0 in the first leg, Lyon triumphed with a 4-0 win on the night.

Their first goal arrived in the 16th minute when Lily Yohannes struck and saw her effort deflected in by a defender, but they then had to wait until extra time to make the tie safe.

Melchie Dumornay scored in the 102nd minute, Damaris Egurrola added another in first-half stoppage time of extra time, and Tabitha Chawinga wrapped it up in the 119th.

That result sets up another major European meeting between Arsenal and Lyon, with the French side chasing a ninth European title and Arsenal hoping to retain the title to win their third.

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When the clubs met in the 2010-11 semi-finals, Lyon proved too strong over two legs. Arsenal lost 2-0 away in the first leg and then went down 3-2 at Meadow Park, exiting 5-2 on aggregate.

The next major meeting came in October 2022, when Arsenal travelled to France in the group stage and thrashed Lyon 5-1. Caitlin Foord (2), Beth Mead (2) and Frida Maanum were the scorers in a statement performance that Jonas Eidevall described as the best he had seen from his side.

It was the first time Lyon had conceded five goals at home since 2005 and a reminder that Arsenal were capable of going toe to toe with Europe’s dominant force.

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The rivalry was reignited again last season 2024-25, when the sides met in the semi-finals and Arsenal produced one of the most significant results in their modern European history.

After losing the first leg 2-1 at the Emirates, they won 4-1 in Lyon to progress 5-3 on aggregate and reach their first final since 2007.

An own goal from Christiane Endler, followed by strikes from Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo and Foord, turned the tie around, with Dumornay’s late goal proving only a consolation as Renee Slegers’ side booked their place in the showpiece against Barcelona, which they famously went on to win 1-0 thanks to Stina Blackestenius.

The dates for the semi-final tie have yet to be confirmed but the first leg, set to be played at the Emirates, will take place on Saturday 25th or Sunday 26th April.