Wolfsburg’s perfect Champions League record ends in Lyon | OneFootball

The hosts started the game brightly as Lindsey Heaps and Korbin Shrader came very close to scoring inside the first five minutes. The latter hit the woodwork after a brilliant buildup from the OL’s right flank.

The US international did the same ten minutes later with a ferocious attempt from outside the box. Wolfsburg continued to be under immense pressure as Stina Johannes made a great save from the goal-scoring center-back Wendie Renard.

The only surprise to OL Lyonnes’ opening goal was that it took them 25 minutes. Johannes was saved by the woodwork for the third time from a brilliant free-kick by Heaps, but Ada Hegerberg scored the rebound from close range.

Five minutes later, the Norwegian completed her brace from another set-piece play. Selma Bacha, who sustained a minor injury during the warmups, assisted the goal with a brilliant delivery from a wide free-kick. The inaugural Ballon d'Or Féminin winner is the all-time Champions League top scorer, and she has now extended her lead at the top with 71 goals from 79 appearances.

Lyon’s threat continued with Kadidiatou Diani’s effort the closest from the hosts of the chances they created in the last 15 minutes of the half. In Wolfsburg’s only chance before the break, Lineth Beerensteyn was denied by the post.

The story was similar in the second-half, but Wolfsburg managed to reduce the danger with a more defensive approach. Against her former club, Germany international Jule Brand caused some trouble for the visitors in the early exchanges after the restart. Before leaving her place for Tabitha Chawinga, the winger should’ve had an assist, but Hegerberg failed to convert from a one-on-one chance.

Stephan Lerch made his first couple of substitutions in the hour mark. Youngsters Cora Zicai and Justine Kielland were replaced by the experienced duo Svenja Huth and Lena Lattwein. The former had an immediate influence on the game, as Wolfsburg’s attacking play showed slight improvement.

Hegerberg had another close-range chance to complete her hat-trick, but Caitlin Dijkstra made a last-ditch intervention. However, after a lengthy VAR check, Lyon were awarded a penalty-kick for a foul in the buildup by Lena Lattwein. Instead of Hegerberg, who squandered two penalties in the Euros, Renard scored the third with usual aplomb.

OL’s captain scored over 100 goals for the club she joined back in 2006. She has also reached a special landmark by becoming the first player to win 100 European matches (UEFA Women’s Cup/UEFA Women’s Champions League).After a couple of more substitutions by Wolfsburg, Beerensteyn got the goal she deserved for her performance after a through pass by Janina Minge. The Dutch striker reached eight goals for the season in her 50th Champions League appearance.

However, it was a rather forgettable night for the rest of Wolfsburg’s squad as they were lucky to only lose by a two-goal margin. Substitutes Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Lily Yohannes had clear-cut chances in the final ten minutes, but the hosts were wasteful in a night where they dominated the play from the first minute.

Wolfsburg will have three more challenging fixtures in the league phase of the Champions League. Home games against WSL sides Manchester United and Chelsea will sandwich an away fixture against Real Madrid. On Saturday, Lerch’s side will host SC Freiburg in the second round of DFB-Pokal.