Paris-Saint Germain 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais (agg 3-5): Lyon book Women's Champions League final with Barcelona
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Updated 28/04/2024 at 16:17 GMT
Olympique Lyonnais edged their all-French showdown with Paris Saint-Germain to reach the UEFA Women's Champions League final with a 5-3 aggregate win. Lyon built on their 3-2 lead from the first leg when Selma Bacha struck inside four minutes and although Paris restored parity on the day through Tabitha Chawinga, Melchie Dumornay made sure of the visitors' passage late on.
Wendie Renard of Olympique Lyonnais celebrates with team-mates
Image credit: Getty Images
Lyon booked a meeting with Barcelona in Bilbao on May 25 in the UEFA Women's Champions League final by winning 2-1 in Paris to seal a 5-3 aggregate victory.
The brilliant Melchie Dumornay finished PSG off with a superb goal in the 81st minute. Even before that, when there was only one goal between the sides, Lyon kept PSG at arm’s length with a formidably good defensive performance.
Selma Bacha had given Lyon an early lead in the second leg, surprising Constance Picaud at the near post following a short corner. PSG equalised – and halved the aggregate deficit – just before the break with their only shot on target of the whole the game, an emphatic finish from the tireless Tabitha Chawinga.
That seemed to set up an explosive second half. But Lyon’s class and experience – especially their winning experience – were the difference. After a number of near misses, including a couple of fine saves from Picaud, Dumornay landed the decisive blow.
It was another near miss for PSG, who just can’t get past Lyon in Ligue 1 or the WCL. The story is painfully familiar. Two years ago, at the same stage, Lyon beat PSG 5-3 on aggregate after winning 3-2 at home and 2-1 away. They will hope history continues to repeat: they beat Barcelona 3-1 in the final that year.
Talking Point – Lyon reach yet another final
Lyon could reasonably claim moral ownership of the Women’s Champions League. They’ve won it eight times, including six in the last eight years, and the match against Barcelona next month will be their 11th final overall. Barcelona are probably the best team in Europe but they will be wary of Lyon, especially after what happened in 2022.
It’s the dream final. The two best teams in Europe, the irresistible force against the irresistible force. And given the teams they've had to beat en route to the final, whoever wins the 2023-24 Women’s Champions League will have earned it.
Player of the Match – Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
The Haiti star, still only 20 years old, was a constant menace to the PSG defence. She has the footballer's holy trinity – speed, strength, skill – and demonstrated them all for the decisive goal. After somehow retaining possession when she was almost on the floor, Dumornay flipped the ball out wide, sprinted into the area and finished expertly past Constance Picaud.
Player Ratings
PSG: Picaud 7, Samoura 6, Gaetino 7, de Almeida 6, Le Guilly 6, Baltimore 7, Groenen 6, Geyoro 6, Karchaoui 8, Katoto 6, Chawinga 7. Subs: Martens 6, Vangsgaard 6, Albert 6.
Lyon: Endler 7, Carpenter 6, Gilles 7, Renard 8, Bacha 8, Horan 8, Egurrola 7, van de Donk 6, Diani 7, Dumornay 8, Cascarino 6. Subs: Morroni 6, Majri 7, Becho 6.
Match Highlights
3' - GOAL! PSG 0-1 LYON (AGG: 2-4; BACHA) A dream start for Lyon! Bacha took a short corner on the right, got the ball back and drilled a low shot from 20 yards that slithered through the hands of Picaud at the near post. She probably should have done better. I think she expected a cross and was taken by surprise.
35' - VITAL SAVE BY PICAUD! Cascarino breaks thrillingly down the left, gets to the byline and cuts the ball back towards the near post. It hits Le Guilly, running towards her own goal, and is clawed round the post by the leaping Picaud. That's a very fine reaction save.
41' - GOAL! PSG 1-1 LYON (AGG: 3-4: CHAWINGA) A goal out of nothing! Horan lost the ball in her own half, which allowed Katoto to find Chawinga one v one with the backpedalling Gilles. Chawinga took a couple of touches and rifled a low, left-foot drive that went through the legs of Gilles and into the far corner. There was no chance for Endler.
52' - CHANCE(S) FOR LYON! Dumornay rolls a defender and charges through on goal. Her shot is saved by the outrushing Picaud, the follow-up is blocked and then Horan, backing up the play, dinks the ball over Picaud and the crossbar. That was a great opportunity for Lyon to double their aggregate lead.
81' - GOAL! PSG 1-2 LYON (AGG: 3-5; DUMORNAY) Lyon are heading to another WCL final! Becho's cross from the right is touched off beautifully by Majri towards Dumornay, who calmly slides the ball past Picaud from 15 yards. That's a terrific goal.
Key Stats
Lyon have beaten Barcelona in both their previous WCL final meetings: 4-1 in 2019 and 3-1 in 2022.
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