Geneva offered little resistance as Lyon’s women carried their early-season scoring storm into Europe, opening their Champions League league-phase campaign with an 8-0 victory over Servette. Jonatan Giraldez’s side have now scored 30 times in four matches, and this time they also delivered the clean sheet their coach had wanted.
Quick facts
- Servette 0-8 OL Lyonnes in the opening round of the Women’s Champions League league phase.
- Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored a hat-trick, while Melchie Dumornay struck twice.
- Lyon have scored 30 goals across their first four matches of the season.
- Former Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor brings Chelsea to the Groupama Stadium next Wednesday.
Lyon had scored 22 goals in their opening three domestic fixtures, but had conceded in each of them. In Geneva, with Mala Grohs selected in goal and Katoto partnered up front by Ada Hegerberg, the French side were ruthless at one end and secure at the other.
The breakthrough came in the eighth minute. Salma Paralluelo’s cross was turned into her own net by Servette defender Laia Ballesté, beginning a difficult evening for the home side.
Damaris Egurrola then struck the right-hand post with a left-footed effort in the 23rd minute before Lyon doubled their advantage five minutes later. Melchie Dumornay sent Katoto through, and the France forward finished to make it 2-0.
Katoto added another before half-time, collecting Hegerberg’s delivery to score in the 40th minute. Dumornay then made it four in first-half stoppage time, racing onto Paralluelo’s counter-attacking pass and lifting the ball over Servette goalkeeper Jacintha Weimar.
The second half began with no relief for the Swiss team. Lily Yohannes produced a clever backheel for Katoto two minutes after the restart, allowing the striker to complete her treble.
Dumornay soon had her second. Katoto’s cross was diverted by the Servette defence, but the Haiti international reacted to finish in the 54th minute for Lyon’s sixth.
Selma Bacha’s corner created the seventh in the 68th minute. Tarciane flicked the ball on with a backheel and Magdalena Sobal inadvertently sent it over the line.
A series of Lyon substitutions briefly disrupted the visitors’ rhythm, but Inès Benyahia completed the rout in the 89th minute. The eight-goal margin matched Lyon’s 8-1 league win against Le Havre.
It was a commanding European start, though the level will rise sharply next week. Chelsea, managed by former Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor, arrive at the Groupama Stadium on Wednesday as the long road towards May’s final in Warsaw continues.
