Arsenal suffered their second defeat in a row after they were beaten 2-1 by Lyon in their opening match of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.Two goals from Melchie Dumornay cancelled out...
Arsenal suffered their second defeat in a row after they were beaten 2-1 by Lyon in their opening match of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Two goals from Melchie Dumornay cancelled out Alessia Russo’s opener with Arsenal struggling to get back into the game after they went behind.
This loss comes three days after a late goal from Manchester City’s Iman Beney meant Arsenal were beaten 3-2 at the Joie Stadium, despite Chloe Kelly equalising only five minutes before.
Arsenal raced out of the blocks breaking the deadlock after just seven minutes through Alessia Russo Wonderful skill from Beth Mead took two Lyon defenders out of the game before she found the Lionesses striker who netted the one-on-one with ease.
However, the Reds’ lead would be short lived as a big mistake from Daphne van Domselaar in the Arsenal goal allowed Dumornay to equalise for the French side 18 minutes in.
The Dutchwoman miscued her pass from the back straight to the Haitain, who put the ball away at the second time of asking after van Domselaar looked to rectify her error by saving her first shot.
Despite Kim Little’s block from a Dumornay header that looked destined to hit the back of Arsenal’s net, the forward would eventually get her second, putting Lyon ahead for the first time. The Haitian winger fired a stunning strike from just outside the box right into the bottom corner three minutes after she had equalised.
A long-range effort from Mariona Caldentey forced a good save from Cristiane Endler in the 26th minute but that would be the end of Arsenal’s first-half chances.
Lyon took control and came close on a number of occasions with van Domselaar’s brilliance being the only reason the score stayed within one in the latter stages of the first half. Her 44th-minute double save from Tabitha Chawinga and Marie-Antoinette Katoto made up for her error that gifted Lyon their equaliser.
After a poor first-half, Arsenal came out fighting in the second. Eight minutes into the second period Endler had already been sparked into action. She tipped over a long-range Caldentey effort.
Arsenal tried to ignite their attacking play by bringing on Olivia Smith and Caitlin Foord ten minutes after the restart. Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead made way after both struggling to make an impact, however, the French side continued to dominate proceedings as the game reached its final stages.
Arsenal now face Brighton in the Women’s Super League on Sunday with a win necessary to keep up the pace with high flying City and Chelsea.
Category: General Sports
