Rayo stun Arsenal as Lyon stroll to victory
Thursday, November 4, 2010
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Rayo Vallecano de Madrid secured a superb 2-0 round of 16 first-leg defeat of Arsenal LFC while Olympique Lyonnais were dominant at FC Rossiyanka and FCF Juvisy Essonne also won.
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Rayo Vallecano de Madrid are on the verge of a major upset after defeating 2007 European champions Arsenal LFC 2-0 in the first leg of their round of 16 tie on Thursday night. There were no such problems for last season's UEFA Women's Champions League runners-up Olympique Lyonnais or their compatriots FCF Juvisy Essonne as UEFA.com rounds up the action; the other five first legs were on Wednesday.
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid 2-0 Arsenal LFC
No Spanish side has ever reached the quarter-finals – and Arsenal are yet to fail to get that far – but that could all change unless the Gunners turn things around next Thursday against a team whose only previous campaign ended in the round of 32 last season. Captain Natalia got Vallecano off to a perfect start with a stunning goal in the opening seconds. Arsenal, with Katie Chapman back after her return from the United States, pressed forward for an equaliser but were caught out when Sonia added the home side's second with 16 minutes left.
FC Rossiyanka 1-6 Olympique Lyonnais
Lyon are all but into the 19 November draw for the quarter-finals onward after a fantastic performance in Russia, Lara Dickenmann tearing Rossiyanka apart on the left and four-goal Lotta Schelin dominating the home defence. Schelin struck twice in the first half-hour, either side of a Camille Abily goal, and again on 72 and 79 minutes after Emueje Ogbiabeva had pulled one back early in the second period. Lyon substitute Louisa Nécib completed the victory.
Torres 1-2 FCF Juvisy Essonne
Juvisy ensured that Lyon would not be the only French side defending a lead next Wednesday, taking pretty much their only two chances to win in Italy. The Italian internationals in the Torres side may well have been hoping to avenge their nation's recent FIFA Women's World Cup play-off defeat by France. They duly dominated the first half only for Juvisy to soak up the pressure and strike just before the break when Laëtitia Tonazzi dribbled past home captain Elisabetta Tona and shot beyond Michela Cupido.
Torres continued to press in the second half but were two down in the 73rd minute, Julie Machart brilliantly setting up Amelie Coquet. Seconds later Torres substitute Amelie Coquet pulled one back from close range but they will be hard pressed to reach their second straight quarter-final.
Reporters: Marcos Prieto, Mikhail Sipovich & Luca Pelliccioni
