Lyon 1-4 Arsenal Stats: Gunners Complete Stunning Champions League Comeback to Reach Final

Arsenal produced a masterclass in European football to overturn their first-leg deficit & defeat eight-time UWCL winners Lyon. Explore the key facts & stats in our comprehensive post-match breakdown.

Match Overview

Final Score: Lyon 1-4 Arsenal (Agg: 3-5)
Date: April 27, 2025 📅
Competition: Women's Champions League Semi-Final Second Leg 🏆
Venue: Groupama Stadium, Décines-Charpieu, France 🇫🇷

Arsenal secured a historic passage to the Women's Champions League final with a commanding 4-1 victory away at Lyon, overturning their 2-1 first-leg deficit to win 5-3 on aggregate. An early own goal from Christiane Endler gave Arsenal the perfect start, before Mariona Caldentey doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time. Alessia Russo struck immediately after the break to extend the lead further, with Caitlin Foord adding a fourth to put the tie beyond doubt. Melchie Dumornay's late goal was merely a consolation for Lyon, as Arsenal advanced to their first Champions League final in 18 years.

Phases of Play Analysis

First Half (0-2)

The opening period saw Arsenal seize control with 63% possession, laying the foundation for their comeback. The Gunners were gifted the lead in the 5th minute when Christiane Endler conceded an own goal, immediately putting Lyon on the back foot. Despite Lyon creating more shots (9 vs 6), Arsenal's clinical edge proved decisive with Mariona Caldentey doubling their advantage in first-half stoppage time following an assist from player of the match Alessia Russo.

First Half Stats Breakdown:

• Lyon: 1 shot on target from 9 attempts (11% accuracy)

• Arsenal: 3 shots on target from 6 attempts (50% accuracy)

• Lyon passes: 148 (78% accuracy)

• Arsenal passes: 270 (89% accuracy)

• Lyon created 1 big chance, missing it

• Arsenal demonstrated superior passing accuracy (89% vs 78%)

Second Half (1-2)

The match was effectively sealed 46 seconds after the restart when Alessia Russo scored Arsenal's third, giving them a commanding 4-2 aggregate lead. Lyon tried to respond by increasing their possession (54% vs 46%) and creating more shots (10 vs 3), but Caitlin Foord's 63rd-minute strike extinguished any hopes of a Lyon comeback. Despite Melchie Dumornay's 81st-minute goal, Arsenal's defense remained resolute to secure their place in the final.

Second Half Stats Breakdown:

• Lyon: 4 shots on target from 10 attempts (40% accuracy)

• Arsenal: 3 shots on target from 3 attempts (100% accuracy)

• Lyon passes: 209 (83% accuracy)

• Arsenal passes: 198 (79% accuracy)

• Lyon created 2 big chances, converting 1

• Arsenal's 100% shooting accuracy in the second half highlighting their clinical finishing

Tactical Analysis

Arsenal's Approach

Arsenal deployed a disciplined 4-3-3 formation under manager Renée Slegers, focusing on controlled possession and ruthless counter-attacking football. Their tactical approach included:

1. Possession control: 55% ball possession with 84% pass accuracy

2. Defensive solidity: 31 clearances and 10 interceptions disrupting Lyon's rhythm

3. Clinical finishing: 6 shots on target from 9 total attempts (67% accuracy)

4. High press: Limiting Lyon's buildup and forcing errors, including Endler's own goal

5. Key half-time instructions: Immediate second-half goal demonstrated tactical awareness

Lyon's Approach

Lyon lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation under Joe Montemurro, focusing on attacking through wide areas and attempting to penetrate Arsenal's defensive setup. Their tactical plan consisted of:

1. Volume shooting: 19 shots attempting to break down Arsenal's defense

2. Wing play: 24% accuracy on crosses with 35 touches in the opposition box

3. Build-up play: 45% possession with 81% passing accuracy

4. Pressing high: 14 tackles won at 56% success rate

5. Substitution impact: Multiple changes failed to swing momentum

Individual Performances

Key Performers - Arsenal

Alessia Russo (8.6 rating) - Player of the Match

• 1 goal

• 1 assist

• 2 shots on target from 4 attempts (50%)

• 13/15 passes completed (87%)

• 2 chances created

• 2 clearances

Mariona Caldentey (8.6 rating)

• 1 goal

• 1 shot on target from 2 attempts (50%)

• 44/52 passes completed (85%)

• 5 tackles won (63%)

• 2 interceptions

• 7 recoveries

Caitlin Foord (8.5 rating)

• 1 goal

• 2 shots on target from 2 attempts (100%)

• 35/42 passes completed (83%)

• 3 tackles won (75%)

• 7 recoveries

• 7 touches in opposition box

Kim Little (7.6 rating)

• 51/54 passes completed (94%)

• 1 shot on target (100%)

• 3 clearances

• 1 block

• 1 interception

• 8 recoveries

Key Performers - Lyon

Melchie Dumornay (7.4 rating)

• 1 goal

• 1 shot on target from 4 attempts (25%)

• 21/29 passes completed (72%)

• 4 successful dribbles (67%)

• 6 recoveries

• Most fouled player (3 times)

Kadidiatou Diani (7.2 rating)

• 0 shots on target from 1 attempt (0%)

• 22/26 passes completed (85%)

• 5 successful dribbles (71%, match-high)

• 2 tackles won (50%)

• 1 interception

• 6 recoveries

Dzsenifer Marozsán (6.6 rating)

• 11/13 passes completed (85%)

• 0 shots on target from 1 attempt (0%)

• 2 tackles won (100%)

• 1 big chance missed

• 1 recovery

• 15 minutes played as substitute

Damaris Egurrola (6.3 rating)

• 30/37 passes completed (81%)

• 1 shot on target from 1 attempt (100%)

• 3 tackles won (75%)

• 4 clearances

• 1 interception

• 12 duels won (match-high)

Momentum Analysis

1. Minutes 1-5: Arsenal's early momentum (+70%) culminating in Endler's own goal

2. Minutes 20-35: Lyon momentum surge (+65%) creating multiple opportunities

3. Minutes 43-45+1: Arsenal's decisive moment (+90%) with Caldentey's crucial second goal

4. Minutes 46-47: Arsenal's explosive start to second half (+100%) with Russo's goal

5. Minutes 60-65: Arsenal's control period (+85%) leading to Foord's fourth goal

6. Minutes 80-82: Brief Lyon resurgence (+60%) resulting in Dumornay's consolation goal

7. Minutes 85-90: Arsenal game management (+75%) securing the semi-final victory

Substitution Impact

Arsenal's substitutions:

• Alessia Russo → Stina Blackstenius (72'): Rating difference -2.57, maintained attacking presence

• Chloe Kelly → Beth Mead (72'): Rating difference -0.64, fresh legs on the right wing

• Mariona Caldentey → Kyra Cooney-Cross (87'): defensive reinforcement

• Frida Maanum → Lotte Wubben-Moy (87'): added defensive solidity

• Katie McCabe → Katie Reid (90+2'): Minimal impact with limited time

Lyon's substitutions:

• Tabita Chawinga → Amel Majri (58'): Rating difference +0.56, improved midfield control

• Eugénie Le Sommer → Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg (69'): Rating difference 0.00, like-for-like change

• Daniëlle van de Donk → Lindsey Heaps (69'): Rating difference -0.94, struggled to influence game

• Wendie Renard → Alice Sombath (75'): Rating difference +0.12, maintained defensive solidity

• Damaris Egurrola → Dzsenifer Marozsán (75'): Rating difference +0.35, added technical quality

Set Piece Analysis

Set pieces played a minimal role in the match outcome:

• Corners: Lyon 6, Arsenal 4

• Accurate crosses: Lyon 9/37 (24%), Arsenal 3/16 (19%)

• Lyon created several opportunities from set pieces but lacked clinical finishing

• Arsenal defended resolutely against Lyon's aerial threat

Key Match Insights

1. Clinical Efficiency: Arsenal converted 67% of their shots on target compared to Lyon's 20%

2. Defensive Discipline: Arsenal's 31 clearances and 10 interceptions highlighted their defensive resilience

3. Technical Excellence: Arsenal's superior pass accuracy (84% vs 81%) demonstrated their technical control

4. Momentum Management: Arsenal's ability to score at crucial moments (45+1' and 46') shifted momentum decisively

5. Individual Quality: The contributions from Arsenal's attacking players across both legs - particularly Mariona Caldentey (goals in both legs) and Alessia Russo (goal and assist in the second leg) - proved decisive in the tie.

Conclusion

Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Lyon represents one of their finest European performances, securing their first Champions League final appearance since 2007. The manner of the win — overturning a first-leg deficit away from home against the eight-time European champions — showcases the tactical astuteness of Renée Slegers and the mental fortitude of her squad.

The match highlighted several key factors that influenced the outcome:

1. Arsenal's clinical finishing, converting six of their nine shots on target across the tie

2. The impact of star performers Alessia Russo, Mariona Caldentey, and Caitlin Foord

3. Lyon's inability to capitalise on their territorial advantage, particularly in the second half

4. Arsenal's tactical discipline, maintaining shape while being ruthless on the counter

5. The psychological edge gained from scoring at crucial moments in the match

Arsenal now advance to face Barcelona in the final on May 24, 2025, seeking their second Champions League title.