Caitlin Foord Beth Mead Katie Maccabe Frida Maanum France county Lyon Champions League soccer Sport FIVE Caitlin Foord Beth Mead Katie Maccabe Frida Maanum France county Lyon

Women's Champions League: Five-star Arsenal stun Lyon

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Arsenal made a spectacular start to their Women's Champions League campaign by crushing holders Lyon 5-1 in France.England star Beth Mead, who was named runner-up for the women's Ballon d'Or on Monday, scored twice as Arsenal, with Katie McCabe in the line-up, delivered an immediate and emphatic statement of intent in the tournament.Lyon, winners of the Champions League on eight occasions, had no answer as Arsenal swept them aside through first-half goals from Caitlin Foord, Frida Maanum and Mead.Foord and Mead then added further goals during a two-minute spell in the second-half to leave Lyon in disarray as they suffered just a second loss in their last 83 home games.Arsenal carried the confidence generated by an unbeaten start to their Women's Super League campaign with them into Europe.And it put them immediately on the front foot in a group that also includes Juventus and Zurich, as Arsenal chase a second Champions League title - 15 years after the first.The Gunners enjoyed a stunning opening at Stade des Lumieres, rocking their hosts with two goals in the first 22 minutes.Foord struck the opener following quality approach work by Mead, then Maanum's shot made it 2-0 as Lyon found themselves well and truly on the back foot.Although Melvine Malard cut the deficit after 27 minutes, Arsenal secured a 3-1 interval lead when Mead's free-kick found the net and gave the defending champions a mountain to climb.And Lyon had no way back, as the contest turned into a rout with Foord and Mead completing an Arsenal procession.

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Ireland captain Katie McCabe claimed the bragging rights over international team-mates Niamh Fahey and Megan Campbell as Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Women's Super League.
Beth Mead produced a masterclass against European champions Lyon, just two days after finishing second in the Women’s Ballon d’Or. 
Arsenal Women's boss Jonas Eidevall said the Gunners' 5-1 win over Lyon on Wednesday was the «best performance» he had seen his side produce. Beth Mead and Caitlin Foord both scored twice while Frida Maanum also got on the scoresheet as Arsenal dismantled the Women’s Champions League holders in France. Ad Eidevall was impressed with what he saw against the French side who have won six of the last seven Champions League titles.

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