Arsenal overturned a 2–1 first-leg deficit with an emphatic 4–1 victory over French side Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday night.
The result secured a 5–3 aggregate win for the Gunners, booking their place in the Women’s Champions League final, where they will face holders FC Barcelona.
The Gunners were clinical, capitalising on errors from the eight-time Champions League winners and ruthlessly converting them into goals.
It marks Arsenal’s first appearance in the final in 18 years, having last reached and won the competition in 2007, remaining the only English club to achieve the feat.
The match began poorly for the hosts when Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler was credited with an own goal.
Five minutes into the contest, a misjudged clearance from a corner struck Endler on the back and rebounded into the net.
Lyon struggled under Arsenal’s relentless high press, frequently losing possession in dangerous areas.
Just before half-time, Arsenal doubled their advantage through a stunning strike from Mariona Caldentey, who fired home from the edge of the area.
Things worsened for Lyon immediately after the restart, as Alessia Russo capitalised on successive defensive mistakes to score within 30 seconds, putting Arsenal 4–2 ahead on aggregate.
With Lyon struggling to fashion meaningful chances, the coup de grâce arrived in the 63rd minute.
Centre-back Vanessa Gilles slipped while in possession inside her own penalty area, allowing Arsenal winger Caitlin Foord to seize the opportunity and smash the ball into the top corner.
Lyon were handed a glimmer of hope in the 81st minute when Melchie Dumornay pulled a goal back, but Arsenal managed the closing stages with composure, comfortably seeing out the match to secure their place in the final on 24 May in Lisbon.
Earlier, reigning champions Barcelona defeated Chelsea 4–1 in London, completing an 8–2 aggregate triumph to advance to the final, where they will seek a third consecutive title.
