Caitlin Foord on target as Arsenal produce stunning Women's Champions League semifinal victory over Lyon

Three Matildas helped Arsenal to a famous Women's Champions League semifinal triumph at all-conquering Lyon, with Caitlin Foord finding the target in a remarkable 4-1 win to set up a final against champions Barcelona.

Foord celebrated with fellow Australia internationals Steph Catley and substitute Kyra Cooney-Cross as the Gunners overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit in France.

The home club, eight-time European champions, were left stunned and crestfallen, with Lyon's Australian manager Joe Montemurro having seen his side capitulate to the club he once managed so successfully in England.

It was also a massive disappointment for Lyon full-back Ellie Carpenter, whose dream of a third Champions League winner's medal was shattered after she'd been tormented all afternoon down her right flank by the excellent Foord.

Arsenal now faces its ultimate test in the final in Lisbon on May 24 against a rampant Barcelona side who had earlier outclassed Chelsea 4-1 for a second time in a week, sealing an 8-2 aggregate victory and a shot at a third-straight crown.

It was also the end of any faint hopes the injured Sam Kerr may have harboured of making a return to Chelsea's ranks for the biggest match in women's football.

Instead Chelsea's London rivals Arsenal will go to the Alvalade Stadium, after a 5-3 aggregate win which felt wholly unexpected amid an accident-prone showing from Europe's most celebrated women's club.

Lyon keeper Christiane Endler began the shambles after misjudging a fifth-minute corner, with an attempted clearance then hitting her on the back and bouncing in for an own goal.

Mariona Caldentey's superb strike made it two before Alessio Russo cashed in on a succession of defensive errors to score 30 seconds after the resumption.

In the 63rd minute, Lyon centre back Vanessa Gilles slipped and fell in her own area, allowing Foord to pounce on the gift to hammer home gleefully.

That really sealed the deal even before Melchie Dumornay grabbed an 81st-minute consolation.

At Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, Barcelona was again in a different league to the English champions, just as in Catalonia seven days earlier.

Kerr was still not ready to return to action after more than a year out with her ACL injury but even the Australian captain's presence could hardly have helped the Blues against the slick visitors.

It was the end of another European dream for Kerr and Chelsea, who reached the final back in 2021, only to be routed 4-0 that day by Barcelona.

AAP

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