OL Lyonnes 3-1 Arsenal (agg 4-3) result - Defending champions knocked out of Women's Champions League by record holders Lyon

Defending champions Arsenal were knocked out of the UEFA Women’s Champions League as Jule Brand’s 86th minute winner secured a spot in the final for record holders OL Lyonnes on Saturday afternoon.

There were warning signs from the French side within moments of kick-off as Ada Hegerberg came close to converting a cross into the box from close range, and they thought they finally grabbed the lead when Lindsey Heap headed home inside nine minutes.

However, Renee Sleger’s side were given a narrow escape as VAR came to their rescue to chalk off the goal, with Ingrid Engen seemingly impeding Daphne van Domselaar in goal.

But Lyon did not have to wait much longer to get their next opportunity when Melchie Dumornay was brought down in the penalty box by Lotte Wubben-Moy after 18 minutes, with VAR suggesting referee Maria Ferrieri Caputi overturn her decision.

Whilst Wendie Renard’s penalty was initially pushed wide by Van Domeselaar, the Arsenal goalkeeper was deemed to have left her line, with the penalty retaken and Renard sending the Dutch goalkeeper the wrong way to level things on aggregate.

Kadidiatou Diani doubled her side's lead just before half-time when she converted a corner from a tight angle at the back post to put Lyon ahead on aggregate.

An improved second half saw Stina Blackstenius rattle the woodwork with a shot from the edge of the box, whilst Olivia Smith saw her effort go narrowly wide of the far post.

Alessia Russo brought a goal back for the defending champions after a brilliant cross from Smilia Holmberg saw the England forward squeeze between the Lyon defence to poke home and level the scoreline on aggregate once again.

As things looked to be heading to extra-time, it was Brand who would send her side through to their 11th UEFA Women’s Champions League final.

Initially ruled out for offside, a lengthy VAR wait would prove the German international was played onside by the narrowest of margins before firing past Van Domselaar to knock out the reigning champions and keep Lyon in the hunt for a record-breaking ninth title.

Arsenal return to the WSL looking to continue their winning streak in the league against Brighton on Wednesday, May 6, whilst Lyon will face the winners of Barcelona v Bayern Munich in the final on Saturday, May 23.

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It's all over!

Arsenal's hopes to retaining the title comes to an end at the hands of the record holders Lyon, who was the much better team on the day.

The Arsenal player goes into the book for a foul on Selma Bacha.

Both sides are fighting for the next goal and moments after Frida Maanum's header was blocked, Lotte Wubben-Moy had a header of her own, which bounced wide of the post.

A final twist on the cards?

IT'S GIVEN.

It was a lengthy wait and that just tells you how tight that was, but Lyon retake the lead and on course for a place in the final.

Once again, it's Dumornay setting things out for her teammate and it's excellent control to tap home with the inside of her foot.

Big moment again as Jule Brand fires Lyon ahead with four minutes to go, but the offside flag is raised and it looks like we're heading to VAR for yet another massive call.

As Lyon sees another effort from Melchie Dumornay goes narrowly wide, Arsenal make two more changes as they look to snatch the equaliser and more importantly, the winner.

None other than Chloe Kelly comes on to replace Katie McCabe and Frida Maanum replaces Stina Blackstenius.

Pretty much as soon as that goal went in, the Lyon boss Jonatan Giraldez has opted to make his changes with the injured Kadidiatou Diani and Lindsey Heaps replaced for Vicki Becho and Damaris Egurrola.

MASSIVE MOMENT!

Substitute Smilia Holmberg does superbly to spot Alessia Russo at the backpost and sends in her cross to the Arsenal forward, who puts her side level on aggregate.

It was a mess for Lyon in front of goal but Russo pounces and manages to squeeze between Lindsey Heaps and Ashley Lawrence to poke home.

There's a delay in play with the goalscorer Diani appearing to be in quite a bit of discomfort.

She's able to walk off the pitch and appears to be okay to continue, but Lyon are setting up a change in case.

She's certainly getting stuck into this one as her next moment on the ball sees her fire from just outside the box into the hands of Christiane Endler.

An early introduction from the substitute as she goes into the referee's book.

Renee Slegers senses it's time for some changes, with Smilia Holmberg and Victoria Pelova replacing Olivia Smith and Mariona Caldentey, who have both struggled to assert dominance this afternoon.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Korbin Shrader replaces Ada Hegerberg and Lily Yohannes.

The Norwegian was nearly about to make mattes worse for Arsenal, but she doesn't quite get a hold of the ball and it's a rushed attempt that's wide of the post.

And Arsenal seem to be finally finding their mo-jo as Stina Blackstenius unleashes a shot from the edge of the box and rattles the woodwork.

Moments later, Foord flies in a cross, which lands at the feed of Olivia Smith, who nudges the ball towards goal, which goes narrowly wide.

There seems to be a lot more flow to this one now, with Arsenal moving things around and trying to find a way forward.

They're not letting Lyon dictate things and Lyon are happy to sit off the ball but will know how threatening the record holders can be.

But they haven't managed to make it count just yet.