‘I’m very tenacious’ – Olivia Smith on her Champions League goal as Arsenal beat Lyon | OneFootball

Olivia Smith scored the deciding goal in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, as Arsenal beat Lyon 2-1 at Emirates Stadium.

Lyon took an early lead after 18 minutes, when Germany international Jule Brand showed her individual quality, dancing through Arsenal’s defence before firing on target.

But Renee Slegers’ side responded with greater intensity in the second half. They levelled through a Mariona Caldentey free-kick that Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler failed to deal with, before Smith sealed the win in the 83rd minute, scrambling back to her feet to finish into an empty net following another defensive mix-up.

“I knew it was a 50-50 with the goalkeeper but again I think I’d favour my chances,” Smith said on her goal. 

“I think I’m very tenacious and I’m always very hopeful and I’m glad that I came out the other side with the goal. 

“It’s so special to score at the Emirates with the fans, the music, I had my family here as well. It’s just yeah a very special moment for me.”

Smith’s strike puts Arsenal in the driving seat ahead of next week’s second leg in Lyon, as they look to book their place in May’s final in Oslo.

It is familiar territory for the Gunners, who faced the same opponents at this stage last year. In 2025, Arsenal lost 2-1 in the first leg before turning the tie around with a 4-1 victory in France on their way to lifting the trophy.

Smith was a constant threat throughout the first leg, using her energy to trouble Lyon’s defence and draw repeated fouls.

When asked if it is frustrating for her to be continuously fouled, Smith said: “Yeah 100% but I mean again it’s part of the game. Definitely something that I have to accept and if the ref sees it, the ref sees it.

“If not then I just have to keep playing my game and not let that get to my head.”

Despite the one-goal advantage, Smith believes there is still work to do ahead of next week’s second leg.

“It’s only halfway so we need to carry what we did in the second half to start strong in the second leg of the game,” the 21-year-old added.

“I think we know their talent, they have a very high quality team and I think we prepared quite well for it. Again they’re dangerous but I think we have held our end. They’re also very physical which made it tough for us but we were able to play around in the second half well.”