Arsenal made a spectacular start to their Women’s Champions League campaign by crushing holders Lyon 5-1 in France on Wednesday night.
England star Beth Mead, who was named runner-up for the women’s Ballon d’Or on Monday, scored twice as Arsenal delivered an immediate and emphatic statement of European intent.
Lyon had no answer as Arsenal swept them aside through first-half goals from Caitlin Foord, Frida Maanum and Mead.
Foord and Mead then added further goals during a two-minute spell in the second-half to leave Lyon in disarray as they suffered just a second loss in their last 83 home games. It marks the first time the eight-times European champions have conceded five goals since May 2005.
Arsenal carried the confidence generated by an unbeaten start to their Women’s Super League campaign with them into Europe. And it put them immediately on the front foot in a group that also includes Juventus and Zurich, as Arsenal chase a second Champions League title – 15 years after the first.
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