UWCL roundup: Lyon, Chelsea book semi-final spots

Delphine Cascarino's impressive double propelled Lyon to a commanding victory over Benfica in the second leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League quarterfinals, while Ajax held Chelsea on the night but could not prevent the hosts from reaching the Women's Champions League semi-finals for the fifth time in seven seasons.

After winning the first leg 2-1, Lyon maintained their momentum in the tie by launching all of the early attacks as the eight-time champions chased an early goal in Décines.

Before kick-off, Eugénie Le Sommer received a presentation to commemorate her 400th appearance for the club, and the France forward nearly added another memorable moment to her highlights reel, but her finish went wide when Kadidiatou Diani's low cross found her unmarked in front of goal.

Cascarino had levelled the French contenders in Lisbon, and the livewire capitalised in the most unexpected way after Le Sommer seized possession on the edge of the Benfica penalty area, chipping in from distance to give her side a two-goal aggregate lead.

Marie Alidou, on the other hand, has been difficult to stop with eight goals since the beginning of this season's qualifying. Two minutes after the opener, the Canadian midfielder completed a slick Benfica move by slotting in from Lucia Alves' low cross to tie the game.

Cascarino scored Lyon's second goal six minutes after the restart, cutting inside from the left and thundering in a sensational finish from long range. This gave Lyon a level of comfort against opponents urged on by coach Filipa Patão.

Diani scored from close range as additional time began, and Catarina Amado added another just before the end, making the scoreline even sweeter for Sonia Bompastor's players as they took a significant step towards a first title since 2021/22.

Chelsea advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League after a 1-1 draw with Ajax, resulting in a 4-1 aggregate victory over the Dutch club in the last eight. Mayra Ramírez's goal sealed their passage.

Chelsea captain Erin Cuthbert missed an early chance, while goalkeeper Zećira Musovic was caught off guard 35 metres from goal. Ajax's Tiny Hoekstra saw the ball rebound off her and the foot of the post before going wide.

The Dutch side's record scorer Romée Leuchter had good opportunities, but it was the hosts who went in front 12 minutes before the break. Guro Reiten slid in Ramírez, who scored her first European goal for the club with a composed finish under Regina van Eijk.

Ajax persevered after the restart and scored 20 minutes into the second half, with Chasity Grant poking past Musovic following a lovely threaded pass from Hoekstra.

Leuchter could have won the game for the visitors in the final stages by turning Jess Carter, but Musovic made a brilliant late one-handed save to deny her. She produced similarly against Danique Tolhoek, and the stalemate in London means Chelsea advances to the final four for the fifth time in seven seasons.

SportsLigue