Diani shines as Lyon crush Bayern, reaching Champions League semis.

Posted : 27 March 2025

Lyon delivered a commanding performance to seal their place in the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals, defeating Bayern Munich 4-1 in the second leg of their quarter-final tie. The French giants had already established a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Munich, and they capitalized on their lead with a dominant display at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Despite an early scare from Bayern, Lyon showcased their attacking prowess to secure a 6-1 aggregate victory.

The match began with Bayern pressing aggressively, creating early chances as they attempted to overturn the deficit. Their persistence paid off in the 33rd minute when Klara Buhl combined with Momoko Tanikawa before unleashing a precise strike that found the bottom corner. The goal momentarily gave the German side hope of a comeback, reducing Lyon’s aggregate lead to just one goal.

However, Lyon wasted no time in responding after the break. Just 27 seconds into the second half, Melchie Dumornay restored Lyon's two-goal cushion with a well-placed header from Kadidiatou Diani’s accurate cross. The early goal deflated Bayern’s momentum and set the tone for the remainder of the match.

Diani continued to be a pivotal figure in the game, capitalizing on a defensive error from Carolin Simon to double Lyon’s lead on the night. Her sharp reaction and clinical finish left Bayern struggling to regain their footing. By the 60th minute, Lyon had effectively ended the contest when Diani provided a low cross for Tabitha Chawinga to slot home, making it 3-1.

With their dominance now fully established, Lyon continued to push forward, creating multiple goal-scoring opportunities. In the closing stages, substitute Ada Hegerberg added the final flourish, guiding Dumornay’s clever pass past Maria Luisa Grohs to make it 4-1. The emphatic scoreline reflected Lyon’s superiority, particularly in the second half, where they overwhelmed their German opponents.

Lyon’s victory not only confirmed their spot in the semi-finals but also highlighted their status as serious contenders for the title. Their ability to bounce back from Bayern’s opening goal and produce a ruthless second-half display demonstrated their experience and quality in European competition.

Up next, Lyon will face Arsenal in the semi-finals after the English side mounted an impressive comeback to eliminate Real Madrid. With both teams showing resilience and attacking flair, the clash promises to be an exciting battle for a place in the final.

Diani shines as Lyon crush Bayern, reaching Champions League semis.

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