The tension was there, the suspense too. Beaten on April 26 by Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final (2-1), OL Lyonnes turned the situation around this Saturday. Thanks to a success validated with a score of 3-1, Wendie Renard and her teammates earned the right to compete in the final of the competition. It will be against Bayern Munich or FC Barcelona.
The Lyonnaises took matters into their own hands quite quickly in the game, but Lindsey Heaps’ goal was refused for offside (8th). Never mind, it was ultimately from a penalty that the locals opened the scoring. But Wendie Renard will have to think twice. If the London goalkeeper stopped her first shot, the VAR judged that she had no foot on her line. Renard therefore tried his luck again, this time successfully (2-0, 21st).
And before the break, Kadidiatou Diani brought the score to 2-0 (36th). Enough to see the second half with increased confidence. And yet, fear resurfaced when Alessia Russo gave her team hope (2-1, 76th). Parity score across the two matches at this point in the game, but also another hard blow for Fenottes a few moments later. Hit in the left knee, Kadidiatou Diani had to come out (77th).
OL Lyonnes, first final since 2024
An injury perhaps less serious than expected when the player remained on the ground for long minutes, since she finally joined the sidelines walking without even needing help. On the field side, the deliverance ended up arriving just before the start of stoppage time. Well served by Melchie Dumornay, Jule Brand sent the ball into the back of the opposing net (3-1, 89th).
Once again, VAR intervened to validate this capital and decisive goal. OL Lyonnes therefore returns to the Champions League final for the first time since 2024. Their last coronation in C1 dates back to 2022.
