Cascarino, Diani doubles help Lyon ease past Benfica to book semi-final spot

Lyon eased into the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League with a 4-1 win over Benfica on the night and 6-2 aggregate victory.

Delphine Cascarino opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, and although Benfica levelled almost immediately through Marie-Yasmine Alidou, her second secured Lyon’s progression before a late Kadidiatou Diani double capped off a dominant performance.

Having brought a 2-1 away victory in the first leg back to the Groupama Stadium, Lyon, eight-time Champions League winners, were on top throughout.

Sonia Bompastor’s side created a host of early chances, the best of which fell to Eugenie Le Sommer in the 13th minute after Diani won the ball back high up the pitch.

However, she fluffed her lines with her first-time effort from six yards out to keep the game goalless.

The pressure kept coming though, and it was another defensive error that led to Lyon’s opener.

Lais Araujo underhit her backpass and Le Sommer pounced before displaying her composure and awareness to feed Cascarino, who delicately lifted it over Lena Pauels and into the vacant Benfica net.

But the lead lasted all of two minutes. A brilliant through ball found Lucia Alves in acres of space on the right flank and the Portuguese picked out Alidou for the simplest of tap-ins.

With the tie still hanging in the balance, the next goal was crucial, and it went the way of the home side six minutes into the second half.

And this time, it was a piece of individual brilliance that shattered Benfica’s hopes. After picking up the ball in midfield, Cascarino drove forward before unleashing a low shot that rocketed into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.

The visitors struggled to find a route back into the game and Diani beat Pauels in the first minute of added time and then got the last touch as the ball ricocheted into the Benfica goal to add some shine to the scoreline.

Victory means Lyon are the first side through to the last four, the 13th time they’ve reached this stage of the competition.

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.