Jule Brand Sends OL Lyonnes Past Arsenal Into WCL Final — Arsenal W.f.c.
Jule Brand sent OL Lyonnes into the Women's Champions League final with a late goal that ended arsenal w.f.c.'s title defence in Lyon. The tie had been level at 3-3 on aggregate before Brand's finish settled it, and Lyonnes will now play in their 12th European final.
Brand Seals Lyonnes Progress
Brand's winner survived a three-minute video assistant referee check after it was initially ruled out for offside. Once the goal stood, Arsenal were left with nothing from a second half that had already swung on fine margins and one decisive finish.
Arsenal had briefly threatened to turn the semi-final when Alessia Russo scored, her ninth Champions League goal of the season and the strike that made her the outright leading goalscorer in the competition this year. That equaliser kept the tie alive long enough for Lyonnes to find one more decisive moment.
Renard And Diani Strike
Wendie Renard put Lyonnes ahead after Daphne van Domselaar saved her penalty, then officials ordered a retake because the Arsenal goalkeeper stepped off her line too early. Renard took the second attempt and scored, and Kadidiatou Diani later made it 2-0 after Brand picked her out at the back post.
Arsenal had chances of their own before the interval and before the hour mark. Stina Blackstenius hit the woodwork before the offside flag went up, and Olivia Smith struck the base of the post, leaving the visitors without the small break they needed to change the tie.
Slegers Faces Lyonnes
Renée Slegers said Lyonnes were the better team, adding: "Lyon raised their levels. They came out really strong. They had Selma Bacha and Melchie Dumornay back in the side, who are world-class players." She also said: "They were really effective in certain moments. It was a very tight game, small margins – very disappointing for us."
The result ended Arsenal's defence of the Women's Champions League title and sent Lyonnes toward the final in Oslo on 23 May. For Arsenal, the margin was narrow on the board but decisive in the tie, while Lyonnes extended a run that has already taken them to eight European titles and now one more shot at a 12th final.
