Holders Lyon too strong for Brøndby

UEFA Women's Champions League holders Olympique Lyonnais are on course to reach the semi-finals for a fifth season running after sealing an emphatic first-leg win over Brøndby IF.

Camille Abily set the tone by breaking the deadlock early on and Sonia Bompastor also scored for the hosts before the break. Further strikes from Lara Dickenmann and Louisa Necib secured the nine-time French champions a considerable advantage ahead of the return match in Denmark next Wednesday.

Patrice Lair’s team had struck 24 goals in four outings on their way to the last eight, and they quickly looked to add to that impressive tally. Lotta Schelin had already seen her header flash wide when the Sweden striker set up Abily to score on eight minutes, the attacking midfielder firing home after her first attempt had been well saved by Stina Petersen.

With the graceful Necib orchestrating play from a deep-lying midfield role, OL appeared irresistible at times, although Brøndby defended doggedly. They enjoyed a degree of fortune too, notably when Abily swept Eugénie Le Sommer’s cutback against the crossbar.

However, the second goal duly arrived 11 minutes before the break. Again Schelin was the provider, touching off Dickenmann’s pass for Bompastor to hit home an accurate left-footed volley via the inside of the far post.

Peer Lisdorff introduced midfielder Julie Jensen at half-time yet Brøndby’s top-scorer Lise Munk remained starved of service as the defending champions continued to dominate.

Winger Dickenmann was giving her opposite number Theresa Nielsen a torrid evening and it came as little surprise when the Swiss international scored, picking up Necib’s pass, jinking inside and dispatching a low shot on 63 minutes. Necib then netted herself after good play from substitute Elodie Thomis, and only a string of late saves from Petersen prevented Lyon from adding their already sizeable lead.