Lyon poised for Women's Champions League final after edging Arsenal

Lyon's dominant performance in the first leg puts them in a strong position to secure a Women's Champions League final spot against Arsenal.

Olympique Lyonnais players gather for a pre-match huddle as they listen to captain Lindsey Heaps (formerly Horan) before the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal first leg match on April 19, 2025, in London, England. Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Lyon, the eight-time Women's Champions League champions, are one step closer to another final as they take a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their semi-final against Arsenal this weekend. Coach Joe Montemurro, who formerly led Arsenal, will look to guide the French side past his old club and secure their place in the final.

In a tense first leg at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday, Lyon triumphed with a 2-1 victory, with Haitian forward Melchie Dumornay scoring a dramatic late winner. This came after Mariona Caldentey's penalty for the Gunners had canceled out Kadidiatou Diani's opener. Despite the rise of Barcelona in recent years, Lyon's performance this season has been nothing short of impressive, and they remain a formidable force in European women's football.

Lyon's road to the semi-finals has been flawless, with six victories from six in the Champions League group stage. They notably defeated Wolfsburg both home and away before cruising past Bayern Munich with a 6-1 aggregate scoreline in the quarter-finals. On the domestic front, Lyon has continued their dominant run, remaining unbeaten in France's Division 1 Féminine, where they are heavy favorites to clinch their 18th title in 19 seasons.

A smooth transition under Montemurro

The transition to life under new coach Joe Montemurro has been remarkably smooth. The Australian manager, who took over in July 2024 on a two-year contract, has seamlessly integrated into Lyon's winning culture. Montemurro, who previously spent three years at Juventus in Italy, faced the daunting task of succeeding Sonia Bompastor, who led Lyon to their record eighth Champions League title in 2022. Bompastor had also guided Lyon to last season's final, where they were defeated 2-0 by Barcelona, before leaving to take charge of Chelsea.

Under Montemurro, Lyon's squad has remained largely intact, though they strengthened their ranks by signing Tabitha Chawinga, the top scorer in France's top division last season with Paris Saint-Germain, and Brazil's Tarciane in a French-record transfer worth almost €1 million. These additions have further solidified Lyon's already potent roster.

In the Champions League, destiny has pitted Lyon against Montemurro's former team, Arsenal. Montemurro, who managed the Gunners from 2017 to 2021, guided them to the English Women's Super League (WSL) title in 2019. However, despite their lead, Montemurro remains cautious, knowing that Arsenal is a dangerous side when playing without the pressure of expectations.

"I said to the players that we're only halfway there, we're not there yet," Montemurro said after the first leg. "Arsenal will go into the second leg with no pressure – they’ve just got to go for it, and sometimes when the pressure is off, that can be dangerous." Montemurro made it clear that, while the situation is favorable for Lyon, Arsenal cannot be underestimated.

"They are a formidable side, a fantastic side, and we still have a job to do in Lyon," Montemurro added. Despite Lyon's strong performance in the first leg, the second leg promises to be an intense affair.

Lyon's domestic form and squad developments

Lyon's impressive run continues in domestic competition, with a 2-0 win over Nantes in the league last week. Meanwhile, Arsenal enters the second leg having thrashed Leicester City 5-1 in their latest WSL match. Lyon's captain and iconic center-back Wendie Renard is also hoping to return from injury in time to make her 500th appearance for the club, adding another layer of excitement to the semi-final clash.

Lyon is expecting a crowd of at least 20,000 spectators for the second leg, although this is still far short of the full capacity of their stadium, which can hold nearly 60,000 fans. With the stakes high, both teams are preparing for what promises to be an enthralling encounter that could determine who advances to the Women's Champions League final in Lisbon on May 24, 2025.

As Lyon heads into the second leg with a slim advantage, all eyes will be on whether they can continue their impressive form and secure their place in the final. With Montemurro's experience and Lyon's formidable squad, they remain the favorites, but Arsenal's resilience will ensure a closely contested battle. The Women's Champions League semi-final is far from over, and both teams will give their all in this thrilling encounter.