Lyonnes Capture Inaugural Women’s Coupe de la Ligue Title

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – Olympique Lyonnais Féminin secured their first trophy of the season on Saturday, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the final of the inaugural Coupe de la Ligue Féminine. The match, played at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny stadium, saw Melchie Dumornay score the decisive goal for Lyon, continuing what has been an impressive run of form for the club.

The victory marks the 40th trophy in the history of Olympique Lyonnais, solidifying their position as a dominant force in French women’s football. Lyon, currently leading the domestic league by a significant 16 points over Nantes, as well remains in contention for the UEFA Women’s Champions League title, having reached the quarter-final stage.

A Tightly Contested First Half

The final, played under warm conditions approaching 30 degrees Celsius, was a largely tactical affair in the opening stages. Both teams probed for openings, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. Lyon gradually began to assert more control as the half progressed. The closest either side came to scoring before the break was in added time when Lindsey Heaps headed a corner from Selma Bacha against the crossbar.

Dumornay Breaks the Deadlock

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 59th minute. A well-placed cross from Kadidiatou Diani found Ada Hegerberg, who cleverly allowed the ball to run, creating space for Melchie Dumornay to finish with a composed strike. The goal sparked celebrations amongst the Lyon players and supporters, and shifted the momentum firmly in their favor.

The path to Lyon’s goal wasn’t without controversy. Just minutes before Dumornay’s winner, a penalty initially awarded to PSG was overturned by VAR after it was determined that there was no foul committed by Elise De Almeida on Tabitha Chawinga. The decision proved pivotal, denying PSG a potential opportunity to seize the lead.

Lyon Controls the Closing Stages

Following Dumornay’s goal, Lyon effectively managed the remainder of the match. Goalkeeper Christiane Endler was called into action once in the 67th minute, but Lyon continued to press forward, with Diani even hitting the post in the 75th minute. Lyon coach Jonatan Giraldez used the opportunity to rotate his squad, making several substitutions to ensure freshness and maintain control.

The Coupe de la Ligue Féminine was created this season by the Ligue Féminine de Football Professionnel (LFFP) to provide additional competitive matches for teams not involved in European competitions. The competition featured 21 teams from the top two divisions of French women’s football, culminating in a group stage from September 2025 to January 2026, and this final in Abidjan.

The decision to host the final in Côte d’Ivoire was intended to “promote and internationalize the event,” according to the league. While the move generated some controversy among supporter groups from both clubs, it undoubtedly brought a new level of visibility to the Coupe de la Ligue Féminine.

What’s Next for Lyon?

With the Coupe de la Ligue title secured, Lyon will now turn their attention back to their domestic league campaign and their Champions League quarter-final tie. Their continued dominance in France and their pursuit of European glory build them a team to watch for the remainder of the season. The club’s impressive form and depth of talent suggest they are well-equipped to compete on all fronts.

The next confirmed match for Lyon is a league fixture against [insert next opponent and date here – information not provided in sources]. Fans can follow updates and further information on the official Olympique Lyonnais Féminin website.

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