Arsenal Women produced a stirring second-half display to draw 1-1 with Lyon in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final at the Emirates Stadium, but a late winner from Melchie Dumornay leaves the Gunners needing another comeback to reach the final.
After falling behind to Kadi Diani's first-half strike, Arsenal equalised through a Mariona Caldentey penalty with 15 minutes remaining. However, just four minutes later, Dumornay burst through the Arsenal defence and lobbed goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger to restore Lyon's lead. The 21-year-old Haitian star had earlier hit the crossbar with an audacious 35-yard chip.
Arsenal dominated the second half, creating several chances through Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius, but were unable to find a second equaliser. Manager Renee Slegers praised her side's courage and bravery, saying: 'We had the courage and the bravery to play our game. We grew into it.'
Lyon, the eight-time champions, showed their quality in the first half, with Diani's goal coming after a swift counter-attack. Former Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro, now in charge of Lyon, had identified gaps behind Katie McCabe at left-back, and his side exploited them to take the lead.
The second leg in France will be a tough test for Arsenal, who must overturn a deficit for the second time in this season's competition after coming from behind against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. Slegers acknowledged the challenge, saying: 'It's very high-level opposition. You get punished if you make mistakes.'
