Lyon Clinically Advances to Women’s Champions League Semi-Finals After Dominant Victory Over Bayern

Eight-time champions Olympique Lyonnais delivered a commanding second-half performance, overcoming Bayern Munich 4-1 in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, thus securing a comfortable 6-1 aggregate victory.

Lyon fielded the same starting eleven that triumphed 2-0 in Munich last week, while Bayern’s manager Alexander Straus opted for a more dynamic approach, making five alterations to his lineup for the match.

Bayern aggressively pressed from the outset, keeping the hosts pinned in their defensive third as they sought an early goal to spark the tie. Their efforts paid off when Klara Buhl found the back of the net just 12 minutes before half-time, sending shockwaves through the Lyon camp.

Buhl combined cleverly with Momoko Tanikawa before charging into the box and firing a low shot past goalkeeper Christiane Endler, with the ball hitting the far post on the way in—marking only the second time Lyon had conceded in this season’s competition.

“Honestly, it’s just not good enough from us,” admitted Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps at the break.

“It’s a tough situation; they play without pressure and go for broke. We need to be sharper and more focused.”

And focused they were. Within just 30 seconds of the second half commencing, Lyon regained their two-goal lead with Melchie Dumornay heading in a cross from Kadidiatou Diani. The visitors then fell further behind in the 54th minute due to a glaring defensive error.

Giulia Gwinn mishandled the ball inside her own penalty area, allowing Diani to capitalise and slot her shot into the net. Six minutes later, Lyon effectively sealed the tie when Tabitha Chawinga converted Diani’s cross with a close-range finish.

Last year’s runners-up looked poised to inflict further damage, needing Bayern’s goalkeeper Maria Luisa Grohs to intervene and thwart attempts from Damaris Egurrola and Selma Bacha, until Ada Hegerberg rounded off the scoring with Lyon’s fourth goal in injury time.

Lyon will face the winner of the Arsenal vs. Real Madrid clash, who are set to play later on Wednesday, with Real holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.