Video: United Women humbled by European heavyweights Lyon in heavy defeat in CL

Manchester United Women were humbled 0-3 by eight-time Champions League winners Lyon. The Red Devils have already qualified for the next stage but will be bitterly disappointed to have been swept aside so easily by the French team. First half Lyon exerted their dominance early on and demonstrated their class on the ball. The first attempt of the evening came from the French side as Ada Hegerberg’s ball found Melchie Dumornay on the edge of the penalty area, but her effort sailed over the bar. Lyon found an opener just 12 minutes in, as Ingrid Engen lobbed a ball into the box and Tabitha Chawinga was on hand to guide a header past the outstretched hand of Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Moments later, Hegerberg almost grabbed Lyon’s second but her effort drifted just wide of the post. The visitors pushed for a second goal as they dominated proceedings, but it was United who almost grabbed an equaliser very much against the run of play. Hinata Miyazawa floated the ball into the box, but Melvine Malard could only guide her header just over the crossbar. As a result, United entered the half-time break one goal behind. Second half Lyon did not let up in the second half and Selma Bacha fired a dangerous free kick just over the bar. Jayde Riviere was one of the few United players to show her true level on the night, and she almost played a pinpoint cross into the box, but it was well-cleared. Moments later, she showed her defensive skill by expertly cutting out a dangerous through ball. On 77 minutes, Jule Brand squandered a great chance to double Lyon’s lead, but Tullis-Joyce was equal to the close-range effort. Nonetheless, with nine minutes remaining, Lyon struck the killer blow. Dumornay wriggled into space in the box and smashed an unstoppable drive into the corner to break hearts in the Progress with Unity stadium. United tried to muster a response, but the visitors’ experience at this stage shone through as they grabbed a third after a lightning-fast counter-attack. Kadidiatou Diani got down the wing and found Dumornay in the box, who did the rest, guiding the ball into the net for their third of the evening. United will look to respond against Tottenham Hotspur in the league on Sunday. They will then play their final Champions League match of the year against Juventus next Wednesday. Jayde Riviere stats vs Lyon Women StatValue Goals0 Assists0 Tackles (won)3 (2) Interceptions3 Clearances2 Blocked shots1 Recoveries1 Ground duels (won)7 (5) Aerial duels (won)1 (0) Fouls1 Key passes0 Crosses (accurate)2 (0) Accurate passes22/27 (81%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)12/16 (75%) Passes in own half (acc.)10/11 (91%) Touches48 Unsuccessful touches2 Dribbles (successful)2 (1) Was fouled1 Possession lost14 Total shots0 Shots on target0 Shots blocked0 Source: Sofascore Featured image Maja Hitij via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.