• Arsenal Women are through to the Champions League final after beating Lyon 
  • Mariona Caldentey scored a superb goal as Arsenal won impressively 
  • LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Why Bruno Fernandes is the Premier League Player of the Season 

By TARA ANSON-WALSH

Arsenal stunned record eight-time winners Lyon to reach the Champions League final for the first time in 18 years.

The Gunners, the only English team to have lifted this trophy when they triumphed in 2007, will now meet holders Barcelona in Lisbon on May 24. It was a brilliant display in France from Renee Slegers’ side who got off to the perfect start when Chloe Kelly’s early corner rebounded off Lyon keeper Christiane Endler and into the net.

Mariona Caldentey then produced a moment of magic in first-half stoppage time to double Arsenal’s lead, carving out space to arrow a shot into the far corner.

Arsenal struck again moments after the restart when Alessia Russo pounced to make it 3-0 before Caitlin Foord added a fourth with Melchie Dumornay’s late strike small consolation for Lyon.

Mariona Caldentey scored an impressive goal as Arsenal Women overcame Lyon

Mariona Caldentey scored an impressive goal as Arsenal Women overcame Lyon

Alessia Russo was also on target, with Arsenal reaching the Champions League final

Alessia Russo was also on target, with Arsenal reaching the Champions League final

Caitlin Foord netted, with Arsenal making it through to the final for the first time in 18 years

Caitlin Foord netted, with Arsenal making it through to the final for the first time in 18 years

Arsenal captain Kim Little praised boss Slegers, saying: ‘Her calmness and composure, her detail and her simplifying, the words before the game are like that and you can see that in our performances.

‘Barcelona are an incredible team and we are aware of their strengths, but I believe in this team and when we are at our best we can beat anyone.’

Barca had cruised into the final earlier in the day after overcoming Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate, romping to a 4-1 win in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

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Positive omen, Mikel? Arsenal Women beat French opposition to reach Champions League final for the first time in 18 years – as Gunners cruise past record eight-time winners Lyon

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