Arsenal stun European champions Lyon with famous victory in France | OneFootball

Arsenal have enjoyed one of their most successful nights in European competition, beating UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy holders Lyon 5-1 on their own turf at the Groupama Stadium.

Caitlin Foord and Beth Mead both netted braces against the French giants while Frida Maanum was also on target for Jonas Eidevall’s side as they put down a real marker in Group C.

Arsenal settled well and they took the lead after 14 minutes when Foord got on the end of a Mead cross to score.

The home side looked dangerous on the attack themselves and Janice Cayman went close before Lyon were left stunned by a second Arsenal goal. Midfielder Maanum hasn’t had the greatest Arsenal career so far but she was on-hand to fire home the rebound after Stina Blackstenius’ initial effort had been saved.

Lyon were on the ropes but they pulled a goal back just before the half-hour. Lindsey Horan directed the ball onto the bar from a corner and Melvine Malard scrambled the rebound into the net.

Arsenal regained their two-goal advantage on the stroke of half-time when Mead’s free-kick somehow found it’s way into the Lyon net.

It got no better for the European champions after the break. An error by towering defender Wendie Renard offered Foord the opportunity to shoot and she superbly took her chance, curling the ball beyond home keeper Christiane Endler. The Gunners then scored their fifth goal just two minutes later when the excellent Maanum played in Mead to beat the keeper.

Lyon simply had nothing left to give as they looked to get back into the game and Arsenal ended the contest 5-1 winners, taking an early stride towards the quarter-finals.

Matchday 2 sees Lyon travel to Juventus while Arsenal host FC Zürich.