Around OL: Lyon Down Barcelona to Move on to WICC Final
OL played their first match of the Women’s ICC tournament in Portland, Oregon yesterday evening, where they came back from an early one goal deficit to win 3-2. They will now move on to the championship match on Saturday to defend their title.
FC Barcelona opened the scoring of the match in the ninth minute. OL attempted an offside trap, but Mariona beat the trap and found the back of the net with a low shot past Christiane Endler in goal.
After going down a goal, Lyon increased the pressure on Barcelona and began to force the Spanish side into turnovers. OL kept up the high pressure and in the 20th minute found the breakthrough equalizer. Selma Bacha put in a cross and Amel Majri got on the end of it to head the ball into the net.
Amandine Henry, who used to play for the Portland Thorns at Providence Park, found a second goal for Lyon in the 27th minute. Henry beat her defender on a corner kick to head home Lyon’s second goal. Endler was called on to make a couple of saves for OL before halftime, but the 2-1 score line held until the whistle.
Barcelona came out blazing at halftime and took control of the match. Lyon managed to thwart any attempts on goal until the 63rd minute, when Barcelona found the equalizer. Endler made the initial save on the play that started with a bad giveaway from Lyon, but Mariona was there to clean up the loose ball and earn her second goal of the night.
With an increase in urgency, Lyon began to tighten up their play and find some chances on goal near the end of the half. Delphine Cascarino and Majri both had shots on goal saved by Barcelona goalkeeper Sandra Paños just minutes apart. As the game was winding down Melvine Malard followed up on a rebounded shot and easily put the ball in the back of the net to put Lyon ahead once again.
Lyon doubled down on their defensive efforts and shut out Barcelona through the final minutes of the game to secure a 3-2 victory and their place in the final match on Saturday, August 21.
Lyon will take on the Portland Thorns, OL Reign’s biggest rival, in the championship match at Providence Park on Saturday, August 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:06 p.m. PT. You can watch the match on ESPN2 or ESPN Deportes or get your tickets to see the action in person here.