• Lyon secures a 2-1 victory against Arsenal in the Women's Champions League semifinal first leg.
• Melchie Dumornay scores the winning goal in the 82nd minute.
• Arsenal equalizes through a penalty from Mariona Caldentey.
• Lyon aims for its 12th final appearance in the Champions League.
• The second leg will take place in Lyon on April 27.

Olympique Lyonnais triumphed 2-1 over Arsenal in the first leg of the Women's Champions League semifinals on April 19, taking the lead with a goal from Kadidiatou Diani in the 17th minute. Arsenal equalized later through a penalty taken by Mariona Caldentey, awarded after VAR intervened to confirm a foul on Leah Williamson by Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler. However, a late goal from Melchie Dumornay clinched the win for Lyon, putting the French champions in a strong position ahead of the return leg on April 27, according to Channel News Asia.

Lyon's Dumornay played a pivotal role throughout the match, showcasing her skills and pace. After striking the crossbar with a remarkable shot from nearly 40 meters, she secured the victory with her finish in the game's final stages. Arsenal coach Renee Slegers acknowledged the competitive nature of the match and emphasized their struggles to convert opportunities, stating, "We created chances and got numbers in the box, we just couldn't get the ball in the net," reports Le Monde.

Despite Arsenal's dominant spells, Lyon's defense held strong against repeated attacks, minimizing the home team's scoring chances. "They are experienced players, they are so quick and so dangerous in counter-attacks," noted Arsenal's Caldentey after the match, reflecting on Lyon's prowess in critical moments. The tactical battle between coaches Joe Montemurro and Slegers highlighted the high stakes of this semifinal matchup, with Lyon aiming to reach their 12th final and secure their ninth title overall, according to Reuters.

The tension of the match was palpable as both teams created opportunities, yet Lyon's clinical finishing proved decisive. Arsenal will need to recover and increase their effectiveness in front of goal before the second leg in Lyon if they hope to turn the tie around, as both teams vie for a place in the final showdown of the prestigious tournament, according to Reuters.