Arsenal secured a remarkable comeback to reach the Champions League final for the first time in 18 years, overcoming eight-time champions Lyon at the Groupama Stadium.
After a 2-1 loss in the first leg at home, the Gunners had it all to do in France. However, for the second time this European campaign, Renee Slegers’ side mounted an incredible second-leg fightback to clinch victory.
Their reward is a first European final since 2007, when they won an unforgettable quadruple, where they will face holders Barcelona, who thrashed Chelsea earlier in the day.
The final whistle saw Arsenal’s players and staff flood the pitch, celebrating with hugs and cheers, some visibly emotional at the magnitude of their achievement.
It was a breathtaking performance from an Arsenal side who were on the brink of seeing their season unravel, with everything riding on overturning the deficit.
The hosts couldn’t have asked for a worse start, as a mix-up between Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler and veteran defender Wendie Renard led to the ball ricocheting off Endler’s back and into the net from a corner just five minutes in.
Arsenal quickly bounced back, with Mariona Caldentey stunning the crowd with a superb strike into the top corner from 20 yards, giving the visitors the lead in the tie.
Lyon, expected to mount a second-half response, were stifled by former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro’s frustrated presence on the sidelines, but Alessia Russo punished a defensive error.
The loose ball fell to her, and she calmly slotted it into the bottom corner within the first minute of the second half.
Caitlin Foord then sealed Arsenal’s place in the final with a clinical finish into the roof of the net after Lyon defender Vanessa Gilles slipped while attempting to play out from the back.
Lyon pulled one back in the 81st minute through Melchie Dumornay, who rifled a shot past the near post, but it proved too little, too late for the home side as Arsenal held firm to progress to the final in Lisbon on May 24.
