Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League title defence began on a sour note as Melchie Dumornay’s first-half brace earned Olympique Lyonnais a 2-1 win at Meadow Park on Tuesday night.
The reigning champions started brightly and appeared set to control proceedings, but two costly defensive errors handed the French giants all three points in their league phase opener.
It was a rematch of last season’s semi-final, which Arsenal won 5-3 on aggregate, and the Gunners seemed determined to repeat history when Alessia Russo opened the scoring just seven minutes in.
Beth Mead showed excellent persistence to break through a challenge before slipping a clever pass to Russo, who coolly slotted home across goalkeeper Christiane Endler to give Arsenal an early lead.
However, the hosts’ advantage was short-lived. Lyon pressed aggressively and capitalised on Arsenal’s errors in possession. Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar gifted Dumornay her first goal when a misplaced short pass fell straight to the Haiti international. Though her initial strike was parried, she reacted quickest to tuck the rebound into an empty net.
Five minutes later, the 22-year-old midfielder struck again. Arsenal failed to clear their lines, and the loose ball rolled kindly to Dumornay at the edge of the box. She unleashed a thunderous left-footed drive high into the net, leaving Van Domselaar rooted to the spot.
From then on, Lyon controlled the tempo. Their pressing game forced Arsenal into rushed decisions, while Dumornay’s movement and vision kept the Gunners’ backline under constant pressure.
Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers, who made five changes following Saturday’s 3-2 WSL defeat at Manchester City, watched as her side’s early confidence faded. Despite efforts from Mead and Russo, Arsenal struggled to create clear chances in the second half.
Caitlin Foord came closest to salvaging a point late on, firing into the side netting after a dangerous set-piece delivery, but Lyon’s defence held firm.
The defeat extends Arsenal’s winless run to four matches across all competitions — a concerning trend as they prepare to face Benfica next week in their second Champions League group fixture.
This season marks the debut of the new “league phase” format in the UWCL, giving teams six matches to secure qualification for the knockout rounds. That cushion may help Arsenal recover, but Slegers’ side will need sharper focus and better defensive discipline if they are to defend their crown.
Lyon’s dominance and Dumornay’s brilliance
Lyon, eight-time Champions League winners, showed their pedigree throughout. Under the ownership of Michele Kang, who was in attendance at Meadow Park, the French champions displayed both flair and ruthlessness.
Dumornay, signed from Stade de Reims in 2023, was the heartbeat of the performance — blending relentless energy with technical excellence. Her ability to exploit space behind Arsenal’s high line caused constant trouble, and she could have completed a hat-trick before half-time, flashing another shot narrowly wide.
After the break, Lyon managed the game expertly. Midfielders Lindsey Horan and Daniëlle van de Donk dictated possession, while captain Wendie Renard marshalled the backline with typical composure.
Though Lyon have not lifted the Champions League since 2022, this win was a statement of intent. They remain among the favourites to reclaim their throne, and with Dumornay in this form, they look every bit capable of doing so.
Arsenal’s struggles continue
For Arsenal, the loss adds to mounting frustration. Their attacking play remains fluent in spells, but lapses in concentration and hesitation when building from the back continue to prove costly.
Slegers will take some positives — Russo’s sharpness in front of goal and Mead’s creativity — but defensive errors overshadowed their efforts. The Gunners now face a crucial stretch of fixtures, including a WSL clash with Brighton this weekend, as they look to rediscover their winning touch.
Lyon’s victory leaves Arsenal with much to ponder, while Dumornay’s dazzling display reinforced her growing reputation as one of Europe’s brightest stars.
Final Score: Arsenal 1–2 Lyon
Scorers: Russo (7′); Dumornay (18’, 23’)
