Melchie Dumornay Double Sinks Arsenal in Lyon Triumph
Arsenal Women’s UEFA Champions League title defence began on a sour note as Melchie Dumornay’s brace secured a 2-1 victory for OL Lyonnes on Tuesday, 7 October.
The Gunners made an electric start at Meadow Park in Borehamwood, England, as Beth Mead sliced through midfield before feeding Alessia Russo, who finished smartly past Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler just seven minutes after the first whistle.
However, Arsenal’s early momentum unravelled after two costly errors. Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar’s misplaced pass handed Dumornay her first goal at the 18-minute mark. Another defensive lapse allowed the Haitian midfielder to rifle home a second from the edge of the box five minutes later.
Despite flashes of attacking promise, Arsenal failed to recover against Lyon’s relentless pressure. This defeat extended their winless run to four matches across all competitions.
Gunners manager Renee Slegers admitted during a post-match press conference that her side were second best for stretches while their French opponents dictated the overall pace of the game.
Lyon, eight-time European champions, proved their pedigree once more, while Arsenal must now regroup ahead of their Women’s Super League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion this Sunday, 12 October.
Image Credit: Source
