Arsenal completed a stunning comeback thanks to a 4-1 victory in the second leg to book their place in the Women’s Champions League final with a 5-3 win on aggregate.
Barcelona, winners of back-to-back Champions League titles, now await Renee Slegers’ side in the final at the Estadio Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon on May 24 following their resounding 8-2 victory against Chelsea.
Lyon, last year’s runners-up in the competition, held a 2-1 lead on aggregate heading into the second leg but saw that advantage cancelled out when Christiane Endler bundled the ball into her own net in the fifth minute.
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Arsenal captain Kim Little says she ‘can’t wait’ to take her side to the Champions League final
The eight-time European champions were under pressure for much of the fixture and eventually fell behind when Mariona Caldentey curled home Arsenal’s second of the afternoon to give them the lead (45+1).
That goal arrived just before the break and it was seconds after the restart when Alessia Russo raced into the box and slotted home a third for Arsenal (46) to give them control in the fixture.
Nerves had seemingly been settled when Caitlin Foord rifled home a fourth on the afternoon but Daelle Melchie Dumornay pulled one back for the hosts with just under 10 minutes to go to tee up a nervy ending for the Gunners.
Slegers’ side held on valiantly, displaying the “winning” mindset she referenced was needed to complete the comeback against Lyon – which was on full display from start to finish – but they now face their biggest test to date against Barcelona in the final, if they are to lift Europe’s elite trophy for the first time.
Slegers: Very proud and looking forward to Barcelona test
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers hugs Chloe Kelly after beating Lyon
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers speaking to DAZN:
“Very, very, very proud. I think we showed it before in this season and I think this was the biggest challenge so far coming back from a 2-1 loss at the Emirates against this top team with so much quality.
“Coming out here so calm and composed with so much belief in what we’re doing and courage on the pitch. I’m so proud of the players, they’ve been working incredibly hard.
“Against a top team momentum is going to shift, and you can see that today. I think we had really strong phases in the game and that’s also a challenge to stay balanced and keep on making the right decisions, especially against a team like Lyon who have so much threat.
On facing Barcelona in the final: “I look forward to it. Barcelona is a fantastic football team and we respect them and we really look forward to the challenge.
“We are going to do everything to prepare really well for the final, but we play Aston Villa soon, so that’s the next one.”
Analysis: Arsenal have matured mighty quick
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Leah Williamson says that fans should expect ‘the same gutsy performance that you saw today’ from Arsenal in the Champions League final
Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter:
Arsenal have learnt a lot in eight days. The home and away legs of this tie were chalk and cheese.
Renee Slegers was defiant after last weekend’s 2-1 loss at the Emirates, emphasising the belief in camp remained strong but it was hard to detect much conviction. On the pitch Arsenal were passive, overawed by the might of a team who have conquered Europe eight times before.
But all that changed in France. The Gunners ditched their underdog attitude and went out bold and beaming, as if they belonged, as if they deserved to be there.
Not many would have predicted this outcome following Arsenal’s underwhelming start to the season. The turnaround since Slegers took charge back in October has been remarkable. And now they find themselves in a European final for the first time since they won the competition back in 2007.
Slegers’ success has been rooted in harmonising and unifying Arsenal’s supremely talented squad. Her style has been an instrumental accessory. And even if they can’t get passed Barcelona in Lisbon – not many can – the real triumph is getting there in the first place.
Little: We can beat anyone on our day
Arsenal captain Kim Little speaking to DAZN:
“It means a lot, which I think you can tell by the emotion. This is an incredible football club and we’ve had numerous games in the Champions League and not quite made it to the final since we won it in 2007. It’s just really special to get there. We all can’t wait to represent this great club in the final.
“Barcelona are an incredible team, we’ve seen that in their semi-final against Chelsea and we’ll be very aware of their strengths. I believe in this team and when we’re at our best on our day, I think we can beat anyone.”
Frida Maanum, Chloe Kelly, Caitlin Foord celebrate after Lyon’s Christiane Endler scored an own goal
Arsenal defy the odds!
Sky Sports News’ Anton Toloui:
Arsenal have done it! They’ve overturned a deficit against the most successful club in European history to make it through to their first Champions League Final in 18 years.
The fans up in the top tier of the Groupama Stadium are bouncing, they can’t believe the performance they’ve just witnessed.
This is an all-time result for a team that was once so used to winning trophies.
Barcelona v Arsenal in the final in Lisbon… sign me up.
