Melchie Dumornay ensured Lyon will take an advantage into the second leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final after a 2-1 win over Arsenal.

The Gunners had come from behind to level after an impressive second half at the Emirates Stadium, but have a deficit to overturn next Sunday.

Lyon started brightly, with Selma Bacha drilling a low shot on goal that Manuel Zinsberger parried to Danielle van de Donk, but she turned it into the side netting from close range.

They took the lead just 11 minutes later, Ellie Carpenter sliding in Kadidiatou Diani, who hit her low shot across goal just out of Zinsberger's reach into the bottom-left corner, with a VAR check confirming she had not strayed offside.

Dumornay should have doubled their lead – after Arsenal lost the ball in midfield, she attempted an audacious lob from a long way out but rattled the crossbar to the hosts’ relief.

Arsenal grew into the game and could have been level at the break as Alessia Russo rose high during a free-kick, but her looping header bounced off the top of the bar.

The hosts were on top in the second half, with Christiane Endler making herself big to deny Caitlin Foord before Russo's follow-up was blocked on the line.

They eventually got their reward in the 78th minute, though. Endler punched Leah Williamson in the head in her attempt to clear a corner, with the referee awarding a penalty following a VAR check. Mariona Caldentey kept her cool to sweep it into the bottom-right corner from the spot.

However, Lyon would restore their advantage just four minutes later. Amel Majri cut open Arsenal's defence with a superb throughball to Dumornay, who fired the winner through Zinsberger. 

Full time in north London.

We'll be back next weekend to turn the tie around pic.twitter.com/GV1p86DX4m

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) April 19, 2025

Data Debrief: Lyon continue impressive run in England

Lyon are unbeaten on all eight of their trips to face English sides in the Champions League (W6 D2), winning each of their four away matches against Arsenal in the competition.

It is the most away games a team has played against teams from a single nation without losing at least once.

In fact, Arsenal have won just one of their seven Champions League ties against Lyon (D1 L5), with this their most defeats against a single side in the competition.

Diani continued her excellent run in front of goal as well. Nobody has been involved in more goals in this season's Champions League than her (10 - six goals, four assists).