Late strike leaves Lyon in charge

Olympique Lyonnais are one step closer to avenging defeat by Umeå IK in their first European campaign in 2007/08 after a 3-2 win against the Swedish side in the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final tie.

Lyon's two previous European seasons ended at the last-four stage but they are in good shape to go one better this year despite twice being pegged back by two-time UEFA Women's Cup winners Umeå. Lyon took the lead at either end of the first half through Louisa Nécib but the visitors drew level on both occasions courtesy of Hanna Pettersson. Katia climbed off the bench to strike the decisive blow with seven minutes remaining, however, leaving Lyon well placed ahead of the second leg in Sweden on 18 April.

It took the home side just three minutes to go in front at the Stade de Gerland, Nécib pouncing from close range after Lara Dickenmann's initial shot was blocked. The same duo combined barely a minute later, but Nécib could only turn her accomplice's cross onto a post.

She was temporarily made to pay for failing to convert that chance as Umeå drew level on 19 minutes thanks to Pettersson's precise finish. Sofia Jakobsson was profligate when one-on-one with Christine Nilsen four minutes before half-time and Umeå were soon behind thanks to another predatory strike by Nécib.

Pettersson continued to exchange blows with her Lyon counterpart, however, and once again drew her side level with 19 minutes remaining with a header from a corner. Lyon, though, were to have the last word, Nécib turning creator with a corner that Katia headed past Caroline Jönsson just a minute after coming on.

Lyon's Swedish international Lotta Schelin, who missed a late chance for a fourth, said: "We were the better team; it's a pity to have conceded two goals. They didn't have many chances but it sometimes happens like that in football. Nevertheless, I'm confident about the return game. We will have to be as good as we were today to go through."