Lyon stay perfect with another win against Wolfsburg

Substitute Danielle van de Donk’s late flick preserved Lyon’s perfect Champions League record this season and continued their winning run against fellow heavyweights Wolfsburg on Tuesday.

Lyon are unbeaten in all competitions since last season’s Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, but looked as though they may be held for just the second time this term in a classic Champions League fixture.

This fixture has been the final of this tournament on four occasions, while Lyon had won their past five meetings with Wolfsburg coming into this clash. A sixth straight victory came courtesy of Van De Donk’s 81st-minute winner.

The eight-time European champions, who were already assured of top spot in Group A, were forced to be patient, dominating possession but creating little against a Wolfsburg team who were also certain to finish second.

That all changed with nine minutes to play when Kadidiatou Diani jinked down the right and picked out Van De Donk with her low centre. The Netherlands international’s delicate finish nutmegged Marie-Joelle Wedemeyer on the line.

Wolfsburg’s 6-1 win over Roma last week had given them the decisive upper hand in a head-to-head battle between the sides jostling for second in the group, but the Italian outfit bowed out on a high by beating Galatasaray 3-0.

Alice Corelli’s early opener was followed by late goals from Rosanna Ventriglia and Elena Linari as Gala finished without a point.

Lyon stay perfect, while Roma end on a high!#UWCL pic.twitter.com/9yQLkVLcBJ

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) December 17, 2024