Led for part of the match by Benfica, OL finally won (2-1) on Tuesday on the Lisbon club’s pitch in the quarter-final first leg of the Women’s Champions League thanks to the achievements of Delphine Cascarino (63rd) and Sara Däbritz (79th).
The Lyonnaises returned to the locker room logically trailing 1-0. Despite a statistically balanced first act between the two teams, Benfica created the biggest chances, each time due to losses in Rhone. From the 7th minute, Cristiane Endler had to work to push a shot from Andrea Sanchez Falcon back onto the post.
After a few Lyon chances without much danger, the Portuguese ended up taking advantage of defensive errors to open the scoring. Andreia Faria took advantage of a pass from Vanessa Gilles that was not strong enough to appear alone against Endler, whom she deceived with a cross shot (1-0, 43rd). A few moments later, the Canadian almost cost her team a second goal, but the shot from her compatriot Chandra Davidson was too crushed (45th).
Cascarino’s first goal since his return
More dangerous after returning from the locker room, OL first came up against Lena Pauels imperially against Kadidiatou Diani (62nd), before finding the fault a minute later. Delphine Cascarino took a point-blank cross from Ellie Carpenter subtly deflected with a backheel by Melchie Dumornay (1-1, 63rd). The Blue striker scored her first goal since returning from injury. The rest of the match was a long domination by Selma Bacha and her partners.
After multiple attempts rejected by Pauels and a goal refused for offside by Vicki Becho (78th), Lyon managed to take a definitive advantage thanks to Sara Däbritz (2-1, 79th). At 5m50, the German deflected a cross from Lindsey Horan with her head. In pain, Sonia Bompastor’s players turned the match around and can now approach the quarter-final return – which will take place on March 27 in Lyon – with more serenity.
