CL drama victory against Lyon: VAR thriller and heroine Berger save Chelsea

CL drama win against Lyon
VAR thriller and heroine Berger save Chelsea

Chelsea are in the semi-finals of the Champions League. The team around the German national players Melanie Leupolz and Ann-Katrin Berger prevails against the record champion Olympique Lyon. Only the penalty shoot-out decides the thriller in which the goalkeeper becomes a heroine.

The national soccer players Melanie Leupolz and Ann-Katrin Berger have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League with Chelsea as the last team. The Londoners won 4-3 on penalties at Stamford Bridge against defending champions and record champions Olympique Lyon. Goalkeeper Berger, who parried two attempts, became a heroine.

The guests went straight for their salvation on the offensive, but the French missed two chances in the first four minutes. Chelsea were then able to free themselves from the defensive, and a high pace developed in the first half hour. But there were no goals. The second half started less eventfully, in the 56th minute national player Sara Däbritz came on as a substitute for Lyon, fifteen minutes later Leupolz had to leave the field. Danielle van de Donk’s hand hit her face in a duel and she was bleeding profusely from her nose. She couldn’t go on.

Just six minutes after being substituted, the 28-year-old, who gave birth to her first son six months ago, saw Lyon take the lead. Canada’s Vanessa Gilles (77′) scored from close range for the defending champions to force extra time. Chelsea had won the first leg 1-0.

Däbritz already looks like a match winner

In extra time, Däbritz made it 2-0 (110th) after a cross from former world footballer Ada Hegerberg. Everything now spoke for Lyons reaching the semi-finals, but in the second minute of added time, Chelsea player Lauren James suddenly fell in the penalty area. The VAR checked the scene for minutes and decided: Melvine Malard had fouled her opponent, referee Ivana Martincic awarded the penalty. The nerve-racking Maren Mjelde converted to 1: 2 (120 + 8) and saved Chelsea late in the penalty shootout.

In this Berger then advanced to the heroine. Although Däbritz and Dzsenifer Marozsán, who has retired from the national team, scored for Lyon, Chelsea celebrated in the end. Because of all things, Lyon’s experienced captain Wendie Renard missed after five converted penalties. James then also forgave, but directly afterwards Berger parried against Lindsey Horan.

The “Blues” meet FC Barcelona in the semi-finals at the end of April, who beat Rome on Wednesday. In the second knockout duel, VfL Wolfsburg and Bayern conqueror WFC Arsenal play for a place in the final. The exact appointments are not yet clear, the final will take place on June 3rd in Eindhoven.

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