Lyon crush Manchester United Women 3–0, but Red Devils secure playoff spot

Manchester United suffered their second defeat in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, losing 3-0 to Lyon at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday evening.

Lyon started the game on the front foot and took the lead in the 12th minute, when Tabitha Chawinga headed Ingrid Engen’s cross beyond Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

The visitors were relentless and nearly got a second as Selma Bacha sent a dangerous pass into the area, but United managed to avert the danger.

United’s only chance of the first half should have resulted in a goal when the ball fell nicely to Melvine Malard, who could not keep her header down.

Coach Marc Skinner made three substitutions at halftime as Ella Toone, Julia Zigiotti, and Jess Park replaced Lisa Naalsund, Simi Awujo, and Rachel Williams, respectively.

Despite Toone and Park’s introduction into an insipid United side, it was the visitors who looked more likely to add to their advantage.

2018 Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Anna Ada Hegerberg fired an effort off target before Selma Bacha’s strike flew over the crossbar.

Malard then had a chance to make amends for her earlier miss, receiving the ball on the edge of the area, but was not decisive enough, allowing Lyon to clear her effort and clear the ball away.

Melchie Dumornay doubled the away side’s lead, curling a beautiful strike into the top right corner, after Julia Zigiotti Olme.

Dumornay completed the scoring on the stroke of full-time, smashing the ball into the roof of the net, after excellent build-up play between Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

Despite the result, United have now guaranteed their place in the play-off, having collected nine points, five more than 13th-placed Valerenga heading into the last matchday.

The Red Devils face Juventus next Wednesday, needing a huge result to secure automatic qualification to the quarter-finals.

Article written by Henry Thornton .