Five-star Lyon too good for Wolfsburg in decisive CL match

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Lyon 3-1 Wolfsburg

Eugenie Le Sommer, Saki Kumagai and Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir led the record-breaking Lyon to their fifth consecutive Women’s Champions League title with a 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg in Spain.

Lyon mocked renowned absences like Ada Hegerberg and Nikita Parris to defeat Wolfsburg for the third time in the Champions League final.

Alex Popp struck back at the German team with a clever header, but Lyon were too strong, too smart and too cool, and Icelandic midfielder Gunnarsdottir sealed the win with a final third.

Lyon had to fight hard, but they fully deserved their seventh record Champions League victory, in their ninth final in 11 years.

The French giants have not tasted defeat in competitive action since a 1-0 loss to Paris St Germain in the French Cup final on May 31, 2018.

England’s Lucy Bronze ended her Lyon career in style, retiring with a hat-trick of European titles.

The 28-year-old has yet to reveal her next destination, but sealed the ideal exit when Lyon prevailed in San Sebastian.

Two-time winner Wolfsburg fell to well-known rivals Lyon again, unable to dislodge the French team in their fifth final.

Gunnarsdottir only joined Lyon in July, making the switch from Wolfsburg. The 28-year-old played for the Germans earlier in this season’s competition, but the campaign delayed by the coronavirus meant she faced her old club in the final.

Lyon dominated from the start, Europe’s top talents once again showing all the balance and polish needed for another win.

Le Sommer put the defending champs ahead, sweeping home on the second attempt after Friederike Abt stopped their first effort.

The vivacious Delphine Cascarino had created the opportunity, charging from the right flank and making a smart cut in the area.

Wolfsburg shook off the setback and settled into the competition, but more importantly, he failed to forge any genuine opportunities.

And Lyon punished the Germans just before the break, thanks to Kumagai’s great shot.

The Japan midfielder finished off from the edge of the box with a fine technical shot, to leave the French team in full control at half-time.

Lyon entered the second half and seemed completely comfortable, only for Wolfsburg to grab a life preserver just before time.

Ewa Pajor delivered a clever cross as he clung to Lyon goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi’s fumble and Popp reacted deftly with a quick header.

Wolfsburg’s bid for a draw finally ended with Gunnarsdottir’s scrambled finish, following Le Sommer’s driven shot as Lyon emerged victorious once again.



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