Lyon make most of first-leg lead

Olympique Lyonnais are through to their third European semi-final in as many attempts but they were grateful for their 3-0 UEFA Women's Champions League last-eight first-leg advantage after defeat by ASD Torres Calcio in Sardinia.

Lyon, who made the last four of the UEFA Women's Cup in their first two campaigns of 2007/08 and 2008/09, had their lead reduced by an 18th-minute own goal from the scorer of the opener in France a week ago, Shirley Cruz. Torres pushed hard to reduce the aggregate deficit further but the French champions held on and will meet either compatriots Montpellier Hérault SC or Umeå IK on the second and third weekends of April.

The visitors had the first chance when Katia forced Michela Cupido into a fourth-minute save but after that Torres had the bulk of the opportunities. And they were off the mark when Raffaella Manieri swung in a dangerous free-kick from the left that deflected in off Cruz. Just before the break Patrizia Panico played in Silvia Fuselli, who rounded Lyon goalkeeper Christine Nilsen but shot into the side netting.

Ten minutes into the second half Fuselli broke the Lyon offside trap but opted to pass rather than shoot and the opening vanished. Lotta Schelin, scorer of two first-leg goals, had the opportunity to settle the tie with 16 minutes left only to shoot straight at Cupido. However, Torres could not take advantage of that escape, Sandy Ianella denied by Nilsen.

Torres coach Salvatore Arca said: "We tried to put right the 3-0 deficit from the first leg, but it was just too much for us. Today we tried to do what was possible, but we knew it was going to be hard. We lost this tie in the first leg. Iannella played really well here today and she was great [in France] too, as was everybody. We have just been undone by some small incidents, like the penalty that we missed there. Hopefully we will be back again next year."