In a thrilling Women's Champions League semifinal, OL Lyonnes staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat titleholders Arsenal 3-1 and secure their spot in the final on Saturday.

The match at Groupama Stadium started with high intensity, as Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps had an early header disallowed after a VAR review. However, the technology worked in Lyon's favor midway through the first half when a penalty was awarded after Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy fouled Melchie Dumornay from behind.

Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar initially saved the spot-kick, but a retake was ordered due to encroachment. Lyon captain Wendie Renard made no mistake the second time, sending van Domselaar the wrong way to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Lyon doubled their advantage in the 36th minute when striker Kadidiatou Diani expertly guided a corner from the left into the back post, capitalizing on Arsenal's recurring struggles from set pieces—a weakness that had cost them in the first leg as well.

Arsenal, who had benefited from defensive errors to win the first leg 2-1 in London, found their lifeline through Alessia Russo. The striker scored her competition-leading ninth goal of the campaign, which initially seemed destined to send the match into extra time.

But with just four minutes remaining in regulation, forward Jule Brand emerged as the hero. She latched onto Dumornay's pass and slotted home the decisive goal in the 86th minute, making it 4-3 on aggregate for the record eight-time champions.

Lyon will now await the winner of Sunday's second semifinal between Bayern Munich and three-time champion Barcelona, which is locked at 1-1 after a contentious first leg in Germany that saw Bayern's Franziska Kett sent off for pulling an opponent's hair.