Paris FC won on Wednesday 19 November at the Jean-Bouin stadium against Benfica (2-0), playing with ten players, thus achieving its first victory of the season in the Champions League on the fourth day. Lyon took one point from Juventus (3-3) after trailing 3-0. Meanwhile for the Arsenal players, the title holders, beat Real Madrid (2-1).
In a difficult early season in Europe, the Parisiennes showed themselves to be lively in play and solid in defence, immediately providing plenty of rhythm and aggression in their duel against the Portuguese.
The absence of Benfica Dane’s Caroline Moller (32nd), who was punished with two yellow cards in three minutes for two dangerous tackles, gave Paris FC the lead just before the break.
Thanks to a high interception from Anaële Le Moguédec, the decisive passer in both of the evening’s acts, Maeline Mendy, 18, scored the opener with her left foot for her first start in the Champions League this season (43e1-0).
Taking advantage of the superior number of players and the victory of the coach, Maëlle Garbino, who came on five minutes earlier to replace Mendy, made a breakthrough (62e) with a header at the far post. The midfielder could have even doubled the lead a few minutes later, sliding alone down the right lane, without the Portuguese goalkeeper coming out to block his shot.
“We are happy, we did everything to win, the coach said we had to have ambition and character and that’s what we did”Anaële Le Moguédec rejoices in front of the L’Equipe TV microphone.
Almost achieving victory against a tough Real Madrid team (1-1), who were able to equalize in the last seconds, the Paris FC players this time emphasized their ambition and withstood the constant pressure from the Lisbon team until the last moment.
The three points obtained this Wednesday (5 in total) will allow them to move up to the play-off places at the end of day four (of 5e at 12 o’clocke venue), to Norway’s Valerenga who they will face on December 10.
A meeting that could be decisive for playing in the round of 16 as the final day of the Champions League promises to be tough against the current leaders, FC Barcelona.
OL Lyonnes is still unbeaten
Lyonnes recovered in time to salvage a draw against Juventus (3-3), who lead 3-0 at home. This is the first time OL has been held to a draw after winning all its matches this season, in all competitions. Still unbeaten, they remain in the leading group.
Lyon had a poor first period, where the defense was completely lethargic. Unrecognizable for forty-five minutes, the eight-time European champions succumbed under Juventine’s onslaught.
Jonathan Giraldez’s players didn’t seem to react, because the first goal was created by Chiara Beccari’s center shot (12e). In defense, Tarciane really struggled. Stuck on the second goal, she allowed Michela Cambiaghi to trick goalkeeper Christiane Endler (27e). Ten minutes later, she let Tatiana Pinto’s pass run straight to score 3-0 (37e). The Brazilian came off at half-time, replaced by the much sharper international Alice Sombath, and the match changed direction.
Tabitha Chawinga reduced the score with a cross shot after a good serve from Ada Hegerberg (60e), and Marie-Antoinette Katoto (79e) equalized 3-2 thanks to Selma Bacha’s cross. And it was Wendy Renard who, after a handball from Italian captain Cecilia Salvai, converted a penalty in the last minute, avoiding defeat (90e sp).
Lyon even thought they would complete their comeback by scoring a 4-3 goal in the last second, but Jule Brand found himself offside due to an unfortunate shoulder push from teammate Wendie Renard, and the goal was logically denied.
Arsenal won against Real Madrid
In other matches, Arsenal first confirmed their difficulties in this C1 league phase. But England finally turned things around thanks to two goals from Alessia Russo (53e67e) to achieve a second success (2-1) and enter the Top 12.
Meanwhile, Manchester United, Lyonnes’ future opponents, suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat at Wolfsburg, three-time finalists in recent years. Lineth Beerensteyn scored twice for Germany, while Frenchman Melvine Malard scored twice for England.
As for the Norwegian team from Valerenga, the future opponents of Paris FC, they drew (2-2) against the Austrian team from SKN Sankt Pölten.
