Paris FC players not only achieved their first Champions League win of the season, but they also came close to achieving the feat on Tuesday, November 11, in Spain against Real Madrid. Leading the score until the final seconds of the match, the Parisiennes saw Caroline Weir dash their hopes by leveling the score at 1-1 with a cross shot from the left.
But Sandrine Soubeyrand’s players have launched themselves in the best possible way during this third encountere day of the league phase, against a team that had won its first two games: Lorena Azzaro opened the scoring from the penalty spot just before the break (41e), took Misa Rodriguez on the wrong foot. In the second half, the Parisiennes almost doubled their lead thanks to good pressure from Sheika Scott on Maëlle Lakrar, who, after combining with Clara Matéo, hit the goal (48e).
Carried by goalkeeper Mylène Chavas, who was called upon several times to counter Real Madrid attacks, Paris FC were confident they would hold out until the end before cracking under Spanish pressure in the 8th minute.e minutes of extra time.
With two draws and one loss (2 points), the Paris club (13e) remained outside the qualifying places midway through the league stages.
There’s Hegerberg at the top
In the standings, another French club is leading: OL Lyonnes, especially with two goals from Ada Hegerberg, scored a third success in three matches by beating the German club Wolfsburg (3-1).
The Lyon team, who still have to face Juventus Turin, Manchester United and Atlético Madrid in this phase of the league, completely dominated opponents who still won their first two meetings in Europe.
Two shots hit the crossbar from American Korbin Shrader (4e18e) preceded a brace from Norwegian Ada Hegerberg who, at the age of 30, took her total to 69 goals in the competition – in 78 games – in which she was top scorer.
The first took a free kick from American Lindsay Heaps which also hit the bar (25e) before scoring the second goal with a header from a free kick taken by Selma Bacha (30e).
“It’s time to win” the Champions League again
In the second half, Lyon brought the score to 3-0 thanks to Wendie Renard who converted the penalty awarded for a foul on Melchie Dumornay (72e). At the end of the match, Wolfsburg reduced the deficit through a goal from Lineth Beerensteyn, who was alert in the middle, and beat Christiane Endler on her exit (80e), taking advantage of OL’s lack of alertness. Lyon could have won by more width given their superiority (23 shots to two including only seven on target, 57 attacks to seven).
Jonatan Giraldez’s men are temporarily at the top of the standings while waiting for Barcelona – the Spanish coach’s former club – to face Louvain on Wednesday. The first four rounds of the league phase will go straight to the quarter-finals without going through the play-off round, reserved for the 5th ranked teame at 12 o’clocke place.
“The history our team has with the Champions League, a unique competition, is something unforgettable”After the meeting, Ada Hegerberg admitted that she had won six of the eight European Cups won by the Lyon club, including the last in 2022. “It’s been a long time since we won it. It’s time to win it again, but we have to work because it won’t come easy.”added the Norwegian.
