Manchester City Women beaten by Lyon in opening leg of Champions League semi

22 April 2017 05:54

Manchester City Women's Champions League hopes suffered a major blow as they lost 3-1 at home to holders Lyon in their semi-final first leg.

Kosovare Asllani was on target for the hosts, cancelling out Saki Kumagai's opener, but goals from Dzsenifer Maroszan and Eugenie Le Sommer left City with a huge mountain to climb in next Saturday's second leg in France.

Nick Cushing's side, enjoying their first taste of European competition, fell behind after only one minute.

Carli Lloyd, the American World Cup winner and 2016 FIFA Player of the Year, recruited on loan from Houston Dash, was penalised for a handball in the area and Kumagai made no mistake from the spot.

Asllani levelled after 10 minutes, taking a fine through-ball from Toni Duggan and firing home a deflected shot.

But Lyon were back in front six minutes later when Marozsan side-footed home and, 11 minutes after the break, they extended their lead as substitute Le Sommer got on the score sheet.

Source: PA