2023-11-22 21:58:21
By the editorial staff
Published 22 minutes ago, Updated now
The Lyonnaises did not tremble this Wednesday. DAVID W CERNY / REUTERS
OL easily beat Austrian St-Pölten (2-0) on the second day of the continental competition.
After their big victory over SK Slavia (0-9) Prague in the Champions League, Sonia Bompastor’s Lyonnaises confirmed this Wednesday by easily defeating the Austrians of St-Pölten (2-0) at Groupama Stadium. As in their first match in C1, the French champions quickly opened the scoring in the 4th minute. On an excellent cross from Bacha from the right, Van de Donk managed to place a victorious header which opened the scoring. The Rhodaniennes then doubled the lead, thanks to an own goal from Leonarda Balag.
Following on from their victory in Prague, the Lyonnaises started the match very strong, with the opening score in the fourth minute from Van de Donk, who benefited from a five-star service from French international Selma Bacha, untenable this Wednesday evening to score with a header. But while everyone expected this first goal to be the first of a long series, Sonia Bompastor’s players failed to double the lead in the first act. This is due to a very concentrated Austrian defense, but also to a great performance from goalkeeper Schlüter, who made ten saves. Just before the break, Hegerberg then Diani came close to shaking the net, but one stumbled against the defense while the other did not find the target.
A gag goal but no festival
While this match could seem like a trap match, in a sparsely filled stadium in the heart of a cold November and only leading by one goal, the Lyonnaises made things easier upon returning from the locker room. While Däbritz, alone at the penalty spot, failed to take a cross from Horan, Hegerberg tried her luck at the far post. While trying to clear the shot, Balog finally shot his own goalkeeper, and scored a goal against his camp completely off target. The last goal of a second meeting where the Fenottes lacked efficiency in front of goal, like Eugénie Le Sommer who entered the game, but was not very inspired.
The third top scorer in the history of the competition missed a big opportunity by missing the ball which passed under her nose (62nd). A few minutes earlier, Hegerberg thought she had scored, but the winner of the first women’s Golden Ball in history helped herself with her hand. Finally, the Lyonnaises won without having to strain their talent and retained first place in their group.
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