End of the game: Lyon-Benfica, 4-1
After the home defeat (1-2) in the first leg, Benfica lost again against Lyon, this time 4-1, in France, and was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the women’s Champions League. Anyone who simply looks at the result runs the serious risk of being deceived. The difference between the two teams was not that big in the sum of the two games. However, football is governed by its own, very simple rules, the most important of which are and will always be goals. And in this chapter the French women were more efficient.
Sonia Bompastor’s team always created more opportunities, it’s true, but the first half was inevitably marked by the controversial move in the French team’s area. Endler left the goal and ended up hitting Chandra Davidson in the face, but the VAR ruled there was no reason to award a penalty. As evil never comes alone, Lyon managed to open the scoring in the 43rd minute, through Cascarino, but the Eagles were quick to react and restored equality before the break, thanks to Alidou, who responded in the best way to Lúcia Alves’ cross .
In the second half, Benfica went in search of the goal that would allow them to tie the tie, but suffered a new setback right after the restart. Cascarino gained space and shot hard from the middle of the street, putting the French in front of the scoreboard again in the 51st minute. From here, the Reds tried to put another boldness on the field and Filipa Patão even launched Jéssica Silva – who had a troubled week after being left out of the first leg -, but no great practical effects were felt. Benfica’s blanket fell short and Lyon’s experience came to the fore. After some wasted opportunities, Sonia Bompastor’s men materialized their threats in the middle of added time, through Griedge Mbock (90’+1) and Diani (90’+6).