- Lyon won their seventh UEFA Women’s Champions League title on Sunday
- The French club beat Wolfsburg in the final for the third time
- Three players have featured in all seven of those trophy wins
Like many other competitions, the UEFA Women’s Champions League was forced to reinvent itself by the Covid-19 pandemic. Following a 10-month layoff – the Round of 16 was completed on 30-31 October 2019 – the last eight teams in contention met in San Sebastian and Bilbao, Spain, to contest the quarter-finals.
Wolfsburg, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais got the better of Glasgow City, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich respectively, before two tight semi-finals went the way of two sides that have grown accustomed to reaching finals: Wolfsburg and l’OL. We look back at the competition and the match that brought it to a long-awaited conclusion.
The match
Women’s Champions League finals between Olympique Lyonnais and Wolfsburg are fast becoming a classic fixture. Prior to yesterday’s meeting, the two sides had already faced off three times at this stage of the competition, with the German club winning the first of those encounters and the French giants the next two.
Die Wölfinnen were anxious to avenge those two defeats and to stop Les Lyonnaises – the most successful side in the history of the competition – adding yet another trophy win to their collection. The absences of star acts such as Ada Hegerberg, Amandine Henry, Griedge Mbock Bathy and Nikita Parris from the Olympique line-up would have raised their hopes of doing just that.
The French side can draw upon a deep pool of talent though, and still found a way to win, dominating the first half and building a 2-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from the experienced Eugenie Le Sommer on 25 minutes and Saki Kumagai on 44. Wolfsburg captain and club legend Alexandra Popp pulled a goal back just before the hour mark to give her side renewed hope. It was extinguished two minutes from time, when Sara Björk Gunnarsdottir, who left Wolfsburg for Les Lyonnaises just a few weeks ago, scored a third to secure the French side’s seventh Women’s Champions League title and consolidate their place in football history.
UWCL Final: Wolfsburg 1-3 Lyon
-
![Lucy Bronze of Olympique Lyon is challenged by Dominique Janssen of VfL Wolfsburg]()
Lucy Bronze of Olympique Lyon is challenged by Dominique Janssen of VfL Wolfsburg
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Lucy Bronze of Olympique Lyon is challenged by Dominique Janssen of VfL Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Olympique Lyon players warm up]()
Olympique Lyon players warm up
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Olympique Lyon players warm up prior to the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Amel Majri of Olympique Lyonnais battles for possession]()
Amel Majri of Olympique Lyonnais battles for possession
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Amel Majri of Olympique Lyonnais battles for possession with Anna Blasse of Vfl Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Delphine Cascarino of Olympique Lyon shoots]()
Delphine Cascarino of Olympique Lyon shoots
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Delphine Cascarino of Olympique Lyon shoots during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Eugenie Le Sommer of Olympique Lyon celebrates with teammate Amel Majri]()
Eugenie Le Sommer of Olympique Lyon celebrates with teammate Amel Majri
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Eugenie Le Sommer of Olympique Lyon celebrates with teammate Amel Majri after scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Villar Lopez/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Alexandra Popp of VfL Wolfsburg celebrates]()
Alexandra Popp of VfL Wolfsburg celebrates
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Alexandra Popp of VfL Wolfsburg celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Amel Majri of Olympique Lyon battles for possession with Fridolina Rolfo]()
Amel Majri of Olympique Lyon battles for possession with Fridolina Rolfo
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Amel Majri of Olympique Lyon battles for possession with Fridolina Rolfo of VfL Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Sarah Bouhaddi of Olympique Lyon gathers the ball under pressure from Alexandra Popp of VfL Wolfsburg]()
Sarah Bouhaddi of Olympique Lyon gathers the ball under pressure from Alexandra Popp of VfL Wolfsburg
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Sarah Bouhaddi of Olympique Lyon gathers the ball under pressure from Alexandra Popp of VfL Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Wendie Renard of Olympique Lyonnais battles for possession with in the air with Alexandra Popp of Vfl Wolfsburg]()
Wendie Renard of Olympique Lyonnais battles for possession with in the air with Alexandra Popp of Vfl Wolfsburg
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Wendie Renard of Olympique Lyonnais battles for possession with in the air with Alexandra Popp of Vfl Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Sergio Perez/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![VfL Wolfsburg Women's v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Women's Champions League Final]()
VfL Wolfsburg Women's v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Women's Champions League Final
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Referee Esther Staubli awards Svenja Huth of Vfl Wolfsburg a yellow card during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Pernille Harder of VfL Wolfsburg gives her team instructions]()
Pernille Harder of VfL Wolfsburg gives her team instructions
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Pernille Harder of VfL Wolfsburg gives her team instructions during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Alvaro Barrientos/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Amel Majri of Olympique Lyon is challenged by Anna Blasse of VfL Wolfsburg]()
Amel Majri of Olympique Lyon is challenged by Anna Blasse of VfL Wolfsburg
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Amel Majri of Olympique Lyon is challenged by Anna Blasse of VfL Wolfsburg during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Saki Kumagai of Olympique Lyon scores her team's second goal]()
Saki Kumagai of Olympique Lyon scores her team's second goal
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Saki Kumagai of Olympique Lyon scores her team's second goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Eugenie Le Sommer of Olympique Lyon celebrates with teammates]()
Eugenie Le Sommer of Olympique Lyon celebrates with teammates
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Eugenie Le Sommer of Olympique Lyon celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Eugenie Le Sommer of Olympique Lyon celebrates]()
Eugenie Le Sommer of Olympique Lyon celebrates
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Eugenie Le Sommer of Olympique Lyon celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Saki Kumagai of Olympique Lyon celebrates]()
Saki Kumagai of Olympique Lyon celebrates
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Saki Kumagai of Olympique Lyon celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Villar Lopez/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Saki Kumagai of Olympique Lyon celebrates with teammates]()
Saki Kumagai of Olympique Lyon celebrates with teammates
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Saki Kumagai of Olympique Lyon celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's second goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Gabriel Bouys/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Lyon players celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League final]()
Lyon players celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League final
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Olympique Lyonnais celebrates after their teams victory during the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Lyon captain Wendie Renard lifts the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy]()
Lyon captain Wendie Renard lifts the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Wendie Renard, captain of Olympique Lyon lifts the UEFA Women's Champions League Trophy following her team's victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Villar Lopez/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
-
![Wendie Renard, captain of Olympique Lyon lifts the UEFA Women's Champions League Trophy]()
Wendie Renard, captain of Olympique Lyon lifts the UEFA Women's Champions League Trophy
30 Aug 2020
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - AUGUST 30: Wendie Renard, captain of Olympique Lyon lifts the UEFA Women's Champions League Trophy following her team's victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League Final between VfL Wolfsburg Women's and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio Anoeta on August 30, 2020 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Sergio Perez/Pool via Getty Images)
© Getty Images
What they said
“There are an awful lot of emotions. Winning five Champions Leagues in a row is incredible and I’m so proud of the team. We’ve got stronger and stronger since the season restarted and we showed up today. That’s why we won.” Olympique Lyonnais forward Delphine Cascarino
“So happy! We’re not tired of winning. We’re not weary of it. We’ve won it seven times now and though the joy might be different, it’s still there. It still feels special when you win the Champions League. There’s a lot of hard work and sacrifices day in day out, but when you get the reward like that, then it’s worth it. We’ve worked all year for this. Everyone saw us losing this game but l'OL are still here and we’re going to stay at the top for a long time.” Olympique Lyonnais forward Eugenie Le Sommer
“It’s always good because it’s tough to win. This is a trophy we fight for every year and it’s wonderful. You always want to make your mark and now we have to go for a sixth consecutive win to match Real Madrid’s record. We want to keep going for more.” Olympique Lyonnais forward Wendie Renard
Women’s Champions League wins in just ten years: that is the incredible and unprecedented feat that Olympique Lyonnais have achieved. In that time, the French club have failed to reach the final on one solitary occasion, in 2014. What is even more remarkable, is that they have now lifted the trophy five times in succession, something that has happened only once in the men’s competition, when Real Madrid dominated it between 1955/56 and 1959/60.
final defeats for VfL Wolfsburg, all of them against Olympique Lyonnais, have now been endured in five appearances in the competition’s showpiece match. The German club won their first two finals, beating Lyon in 2013 and Tyreso a year later, but have now lost three in a row: in 2016, 2018 and 2020.
The underachievers
Manchester City have an impressive and very experienced squad, one that features the likes of England internationals Karen Bardsley, Steph Houghton, Demi Stokes, Jill Scott, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ellen White, Scotland star Caroline Weir and Canada’s Janine Beckie.
That talent could do nothing, however, to prevent a Round-of-16 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Semi-finalists in 2017 and 2018, the Citizens how now failed to progress beyond the last 16 in the last two seasons.
The overachievers
Not many people expected to see Glasgow City in the quarter-finals, and yet there the Scots were in San Sebastian, rubbing shoulders with some of Europe’s biggest names. Despite lacking a genuine star player, the Glasgow side had upset the odds by beating Brondby IF in the last 16 before Wolfsburg brought them back down to earth in the quarters with a 9-1 defeat.
Star player
One of the main reasons why Olympique Lyonnais conceded just two goals in this Women’s Champions League was the form of captain Wendie Renard in the centre of defence. The inspirational skipper was also a force at the other end of the pitch. Her five goals made her the fourth-highest scorer in this season’s tournament – quite an achievement for a centre-half.
One of those goals gave her side a 1-0 win in the semis against PSG. Renard has also made a record 87 appearances in the competition now and has won it a joint-record seven times, along with team-mates Eugenie Le Sommer and Sarah Bouhaddi.
And finally…
A new behind-the-scenes documentary on Olympique Lyonnais is due for release in French cinemas this week. Entitled Les joueuses #paslàpourdanser (The Players #notheretodance) it follows the club’s fortunes over this last season, including their Champions League campaign.
