TOWERING DEFENDER WENDIE Renard headed the only goal as Lyon edged Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in a cagey women’s Champions League semi-final in Bilbao on Wednesday to continue their domination of French rivals.
Both teams finished with 10 players as Lyon stayed on track for a fifth straight European title.
In France, PSG have been repeated runners-up as Lyon have won 14 straight league titles. PSG have reached two Champions League finals and lost both.
“Today, once again, we are the losers, but we have reasons to be proud and carry on,” said PSG defender Irene Parades.
The two teams drew 0-0 after extra time on August 9 in the French Cup final, before Lyon won in a shootout.
For 65 minutes on Wednesday, the semi-final followed a similar pattern with neither team daring enough to threaten consistently. The momentum changed in the 65th minute.
PSG midfielder Grace Geyoro fouled English star Lucy Bronze to collect a second yellow card.
Amel Majri curled the free kick into the goalmouth and France team-mate Renard leapt high above the defence and drove a header past goalkeeper Christiane Endler.
It was the 1.87m-tall Renard’s 19th appearance in a Champions League semi-final, three more than anyone else.
Ten minutes later, English striker Nikita Parris, chasing an over-hit pass, ran into Endler and incurred a second yellow.
Back at even strength, PSG continued to struggle to create dangerous chances and Lyon held out.
On Sunday in San Sebastian they will face Wolfsburg for a third time in the final, a game that will be shown live on RTÉ television.
The Germans won in 2013, but Lyon triumphed in 2016 and 2018.
“It will be very difficult because all the teams are very close and we’re suffering a lot from injuries this year,” said Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.
“But let’s already savour this victory in the semi-finals.”
Two-time former winners Wolfsburg sealed a place in the final with a 1-0 victory over last year’s runners-up Barcelona in Spain on Tuesday,.
© – AFP, 2020, with reporting by Gavin Cooney
Shambles.
@Brian Dunne: what is going on
@robbie Delaney: nobody seems to know robbie, least of all ineos it would seem!
@Brian Dunne: An utter shambles Brian, and still the Glazers lining their pockets.
@Brian Dunne: if it was him who signed off Zirkzee deal he should be fired. Worst player I have seen play for United and that’s saying something given some of our recent signings
@Dec: bit harsh he scored twice v everton and anthony comes to mind
Basket Case FC
And its still the Glaziers fault ??
@Michael Carroll: it was always their fault
Everyone kept laughing at Chelsea when they kept hiring and firing players and managers. Nobody is laughing now. Dan Ashworth badly botched his first transfer window. 200m spent did not improve the team.
@Caolan Z: why what have Chelsea done since
@Caolan Z: man u are finished
So change the sporting director and all will be well it seems.
@Bert Carolan: well he was the teapot who signed the most recent duds and extended ten hags contact. Radcliffe won’t tolerate that
@anthony davoren: Did Radcliffe not appoint him?
Will be looking for a new manager shortly
@Hugh Casey:great insight there Hugh. Please explain your deep understanding and reasoning to us all
@Dessie: some patterns are easy to follow.
@Hugh Casey: when
A catalogue of bad decisions at Utd. The most recent being the hire of an unquestionably gifted manager, to manage a squad that in no way suits how he plays.
@Phil McCabe: I assume that’s how it normally works ..then the manager acquires player’s that suits his style to compliment the existing players who can adapt. Then cut loose the players that are unable to adapt.
@Phil McCabe: apparently one of the reasons Liverpool knocked him back, he was uncompromising about playing 3 at the back, best of luck with that lads!
@damien leen: so what your saying is liverpool wanted a manager that played 3 at the back but not want him to play 3 at the back. Sounds like you were in the room when them decisions were made
@anthony davoren: now now Anthony there is no need to speak sense on this forum, we have a few people that will hurt their wee heads reading your comments.
@anthony davoren: sure, that makes sense, but the amount of money they’ve wasted in the last 6 months alone is shocking. Sir Jim needs to change the culture and this sacking must be part of that change.
Jesus these football teams show no patience