Arsenal stun Lyon to reach Women’s Champions League final

Arsenal defeated Lyon 4-1 in the second leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final on Sunday, setting up a final clash with Barcelona.

Arsenal needed to overturn a 2-1 deficit following the first leg of the last-four clash against the record eight-time Champions League winners, and they levelled the tie on aggregate via goalkeeper Christiane Endler’s early own goal.

Spain star Mariona Caldentey then made it 2-0 for Arsenal on the day to put them ahead overall in first-half stoppage time, and the visitors ran away with the tie after the break.

Alessio Russo scored just 27 seconds after the restart and Caitlin Foord pounced on a calamitous defensive slip to get Arsenal’s fourth goal.

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Melchie Dumornay, who scored Lyon’s winner in the first leg last week, pulled one back for Lyon but it was too little too late for them as Arsenal held out to take the tie 5-3 on aggregate.

Arsenal, who are second in the English Women’s Super League behind Chelsea, will now face Barcelona in the final in Lisbon on May 24.

The Catalans qualified earlier on Sunday with a 4-1 win away to Chelsea sealing an 8-2 aggregate triumph.

Barcelona will be the overwhelming favourites as they head into the final looking to win the trophy for the third year running and fourth time overall.

Arsenal won the competition in 2007 when it was still known as the UEFA Women’s Cup, but they are now through to their first final since then.

The Star