Lyon earn narrow advantage over stubborn Benfica

Lyon earned a narrow 2-1 victory over Benfica in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final.

The French team went into the encounter at Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz as heavy favourites, having won the tournament a record eight times.

In contrast, Benfica were playing in the Women’s Champions League knockout stages for the first time.

But Lyon were forced to turn it around in the second half after falling behind in the first, with goals from Delphine Cascarino and Sara Dabritz securing the victory.

Benfica had sprung out of the starting blocks, with Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler forced to push Andrea Falcon’s shot onto the post in the opening minutes of the match.

Lyon were unable to break through a stubborn Benfica defence, and the hosts took an unexpected lead just before half-time.

Andreia Faria stole the ball from Griedge Mbock Bathy on the halfway line, before charging through on goal and calmly scoring past Endler.

Lyon turned up the intensity in the second half but were repeatedly denied by the heroic efforts of Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels.

An equaliser finally came in the 63rd minute through Cascarino, who has recently returned from an ACL injury.

The well-worked goal started on the right wing with Ellie Carpenter, who weaved past a number of Benfica defenders and passed into the penalty box. Melchie Dumornay flicked the ball on to Cascarino, who thundered it into the back of the net.

Lyon continued to grind Benfica down, and it appeared as if substitute Vicki Becho had completed the turnaround in the 76th minute.

Her goal was ruled out for offside, but Lyon immediately struck again through Dabritz, who headed in Lindsey Horan’s cross.

Lyon will now go into the second leg at Parc Olympique Lyonnais with a one-goal advantage.

The match, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 27 at 5:45pm GMT, will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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