Arsenal 1-2 Lyon, UWCL 2025-26: Gunners Lose To Eight-time Champs

Defensive mistakes cost Arsenal again as it kicked off its defense of the Women’s Champions League title with a 2-1 home loss to Lyon on Tuesday. Alessia Russo gave Arsenal an early lead before Melchie Dumornay’s quick double turned the match around for record eight-time winner Lyon in the first round of matches of the new-look tournament. After the men switched from a group phase to a league-based format last season, the Women’s Champions League made the move, too. Barcelona, which lost to Arsenal in the final last season, thrashed Bayern Munich 7-1 in one of three other matches on Tuesday. Arsenal had a tricky start to the domestic season and failed to win its previous three matches but it took the lead in the seventh minute against Lyon thanks to two of its European Championship-winning players.

Updated on: 8 October 2025 12:40 pm

UEFA Womens Champions League soccer UWCL 2025-26 Arsenal vs Lyon_Wendie Renard

UEFA Womens Champions League 2025-26: Arsenal Vs Lyon | Photo: John Walton/PA via AP

OL Lyonnes' Wendie Renard applauds the fans following the Women's Champions League soccer match between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park, Borehamwood, England.

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UEFA Womens Champions League soccer UWCL 2025-26 Arsenal vs Lyon_Renee Slegers

UEFA Womens Champions League 2025-26: Arsenal Vs Lyon | Photo: John Walton/PA via AP

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers, left, greets Steph Catley after the Women's Champions League soccer match between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park, Borehamwood, England.

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UEFA Womens Champions League soccer UWCL 2025-26 Arsenal vs Lyon_Frida Maanum

UEFA Womens Champions League 2025-26: Arsenal Vs Lyon | Photo: John Walton/PA via AP

Arsenal's Frida Maanum, left, and OL Lyonnes' Damaris Egurrola battle for the ball during the Women's Champions League soccer match between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park, Borehamwood, England.

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UEFA Womens Champions League soccer UWCL 2025-26 Arsenal vs Lyon_Lindsey Heaps

UEFA Womens Champions League 2025-26: Arsenal Vs Lyon | Photo: John Walton/PA via AP

Arsenal's Frida Maanum, left, and OL Lyonnes' Lindsey Heaps battle for the ball during the Women's Champions League soccer match between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park, Borehamwood, England.

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UEFA Womens Champions League soccer UWCL 2025-26 Arsenal vs Lyon_Melchie Dumornay

UEFA Womens Champions League 2025-26: Arsenal Vs Lyon | Photo: John Walton/PA via AP

OL Lyonnes' Melchie Dumornay, right, celebrates scoring their side's second goal during the Women's Champions League soccer match between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park, Borehamwood, England.

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UEFA Womens Champions League 2025-26: Arsenal Vs Lyon | Photo: John Walton/PA via AP

OL Lyonnes' Melchie Dumornay scores their side's first goal during the Women's Champions League soccer match between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park, Borehamwood, England.

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UEFA Womens Champions League soccer UWCL 2025-26 Arsenal vs Lyon_Alessia Russo

UEFA Womens Champions League 2025-26: Arsenal Vs Lyon | Photo: John Walton/PA via AP

Arsenal's Alessia Russo, right, celebrates scoring their side's first goal during the Women's Champions League soccer match between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park, Borehamwood, England.

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UEFA Womens Champions League 2025-26: Arsenal Vs Lyon | Photo: John Walton/PA via AP

Arsenal's Alessia Russo, left, scores their side's first goal the Women's Champions League soccer match between Arsenal and OL Lyonnes at Meadow Park, Borehamwood, England.