Brann 2-2 Lyon
Lyon, the eight-time Women’s Champions League winners, dropped their first points of the season in Europe thanks to a 2-2 draw against Brann in Group B.
Having won their first three group fixtures and taken a commanding lead in the race for the knockouts, the French giants made a fast start in Bergen. Amel Majri put the visitors ahead with six minutes on the clock before Ada Hegerberg doubled their advantage from the spot.
Justine Kielland pulled one back with a thumping effort midway through the first half, however, before Lindsey Horan, the Lyon midfielder, was sent off for a shove on Karoline Haugland.
Deep into second-half injury time, Lyon failed to clear a corner and Signe Gaupset, the teenage midfielder, lashed home the equaliser to send the home fans into raptures. Lyon sealed a spot in the quarter-finals regardless, but it was a night of jubilation for Brann and their supporters.
Thank you for joining me for this match. After Lyon scored after six minutes it looked like it could be a long evening for Brann but they rallied and came away with a result. The late equaliser for Gaupset will live in her memory and the fans forever, a great moment. You will be able to catch all of the action again in the report which will be dropping soon. Have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year! I’ll see you in 2024.
Heading into the game this evening Lyon had won all 15 of their games across all competitions this season. This is the first time they have dropped points int he 2023/23 campaign, a massive result and huge credit to Brann.
In the other 5.45pm GMT kick-off Eintracht Frankfurt conceded a second half goal and so the game ended 1-1 against Benfica.
Here is the equalising goal, it’s the scenes with supporters afterwards – so wholesome:
INCREDIBLE! The 18-year-old, Signe Gaupset gets the equaliser right at the end of the game. Full-time at the Åsane Arena. 🤯
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) December 21, 2023
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The fans who haven’t stopped singing for the entire match are now in full voice as they celebrate a famous win for their side. This game is the first time Lyon have dropped points in the WCL this season, it is a massive result.
Lyon are through to the Women’s Champions League quarter-final despite the late equaliser but that won’t be too much of a consolation for them right now. Majri scored and Hegerberg converted from the spot but Kielland’s screamer gave Brann hope they could get something from this match. Horan was then shown a straight red in the second half and Gaupset equalised late on. What a game!
Full time! Brann 2-2 Lyon
Wow, what a result for Brann!
90 + 5 min: No one deserves that more than Gaupset, what a shift she has put in. Brann had another corner and Lyon can’t clear, it drops to Gaupset who smashes home. The fans go wild! What a moment.
GOAL! Brann 2-2 Lyon (Gaupset, 90 + 4 min)
The scenes!!
90 + 3 min: Egurrola hits the ball out for another corner and Haugland is over the ball again. It’s a good delivery but again Lyon do enough to clear, it comes back in but Morroni is fouled. Lyon make another change as Hegerberg comes of for Marozsan.
90 + 1 min: The corner comes in, in what is a blizzard now, but Lyon head clear. There will be four minutes added.
90 min: Oh my, that was close to an own goal. Mbock Bathy heads over her own cross bar to concede a corner.
90 min: Carpenter is there again to halt a Brann counter, the Australian has been impressive in this second half. The hosts win it back and Gaupset starts a run but her resulting pass is straight out.
88 min: No they can’t, Haugland puts it in again but Endler collects this time. The keeper has been solid this game, as she is for most! It’s also started to snow in Norway, just more atmosphere to add to this frosty affair.
87 min: Brann have a late corner here, can they get their equaliser here?
86 min: Carpenter does well to read play to cut out a play from Brann, who had put in some good build-up as they continue to search for their equaliser.
84 min: It says a lot about Brann that they have managed to score against Lyon in each of their matches. The French club have only conceded seven goals across all competitions this season, scoring 64. Adding to this Brann are the lowest ranked team left in the competition.
83 min: Haugland pops it in and Endler initially stops it but it drops, the whistle then blows for a foul on a Lyon player and so the French side can clear. Brann are now running out of time to pick up something in this encounter.
81 min: Lyon wrestle back possession and Hegerberg makes a good run, she tries to win a corner but it’s out for a goal kick. From the kick Brann propel an attack and they have a shot which Endler sends over the bar, corner to come.
80 min: Hegerberg is down with injury after a challenge, she is grimacing here but is okay to continue. Lyon won a free kick from the foul, it is in their own half though so they will have to build from deep. A huge strike sees the ball in the area but Brann do well to win it back.
78 min: Crummer crosses and it is across the face of goal but no one can head it home, it feels like there is one more goal in this game and Brann look the more likely to score.
76 min: Brann make two changes with Engesvik and Kielland off for Eikeland and Brochmann and now Lyon make a change with Dabritz on for Majri.
75 min: More news to bring you, the other game in this group between Slavia Praha and St Polten has been postponed because of a shooting in Prague earlier today. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.
74 min: Reports coming in now that Horan’s red card was for offensive, insulting or abusive language and so the shove had nothing to do with it. Back to the game and Brann are really pushing for this equaliser, it would be a huge result for them to take points off of the eight-time winners.
72 min: Wow, Endler what a save! A huge chance comes and it’s hit from outside of the area but Endler hits it up onto the bar.
70 min: Majri tries to pass back to Endler but it has too much on it and it’s out for a corner, a rare error from the goalscorer. It’s delivered well but Brann foul Endler and so Lyon can clear.
68 min: Boos rain down as Endler takes some time over a goal kick, Lyon are managing this game well and even seem to be playing better now they are down to 10.
66 min: Majri delivers a good ball but Mikalsen watches it all the way and collects.
65 min: Lyon work a good move and Diani has a shot, it goes over the bar but the French international has won a corner.
64 min: “I apologise if I’ve not scrolled back far enough for snack chat, but what do you have on the go today? Insofar as how this game is going -- I am very confused by Horan’s red card. A straight red seems awfully harsh, although being generous I can see her possibly committing two yellow card offences; the shove and then dissent. But of course, I didn’t see two yellows from the referee so I suppose it was a straight red. As you said, this has suddenly got very tasty all of a sudden! Shoutout as well to the Brann fans for singing for the whole match so far; what an atmosphere,” Adam K writes.
“Enjoy the rest of the match, and I hope those who celebrate have a wonderful holiday season!”
I had not said what I have for snacks today, I’m going with a classic – Pringles! Yes the only thing I can think of to justify a straight red from that would be if Horan then said something to the referee as the shove wasn’t too cynical. Have a great Christmas.
Updated
62 min: Lyon’s defence is holding really well as Brann try to break through to find an equaliser, so far the French side aren’t feeling the effect of going down to 10. Brann have a few attempts but it isn’t clinical enough.
60 min: Hegerberg takes a long shot, it would have been an absolute screamer if that went in but it is over the bar.
58 min: Here is the straight red card for Horan, let me know your thoughts via email or Twitter:
🛑 Straight Red.
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) December 21, 2023
Lindsey Horan has been sent off after her shove on Brann's Karoline Haugland.
Lyon down to 10 players.
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Ostenstad has been replaced after going down with injury.
57 min: Lyon are dealing with it well so far, winning a free kick in their own half to repel a chance from Brann, the hosts win back possession quickly but they opt for patient build-up rather than a rapid attack. Eventually Lyon win it back and Hegerberg has a great run but it’s cleared. So much action.
55 min: Lyon can’t quite believe that card, nearly the entire team had huddled around the referee to protest the decision but it did little to change her mind. They now have to repel an impressive Brann with 10 players for around 35 minutes. If a replay is clipped up I will add it here so you can take a look yourself.
53 min: The referee was initially going to give a yellow but she then changed her mind and upgraded it to a red. I am unsure if she said something to the referee after, a replay shows it was just a push – no contact to the face.
RED CARD! Brann 1-2 Lyon (Horan, 52')
Horan won a foul to begin with but is then shown a red for a push to the face of a Brann player, Lyon players are surrounding the ref but she is off!
50 min: Brann give it away high up and Horan looks to cross in but she first puts in a foul and so Brann can clear their lines. A lot of fouls in this game, a frosty affair and I’m not just talking about the Norwegian winter weather.
49 min: Endler is almost dispossessed by Crummer but the keeper does so well to control and take the ball away from the incoming run. Brann do get the ball into the area again but Lund fouls so Lyon can clear.
47 min: Brann are pressing really well, it’s putting pressure on the usual free flowing play of Lyon. A steady start to the second half.
Back underway! Brann 1-2 Lyon
So will Brann pull off a famous comeback? Or will Lyon see out this match? All to play for over the next 45 minutes.
In the other match that kicked off at 5.45pm GMT Eintracht Frankfurt are leading Benfica 1-0 after Geraldine Reuteler scored.
Here are Lyon’s two goals from the first half:
Lyon break the deadlock after just six minutes by way of Amel Majri! 🔥
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) December 21, 2023
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Ada Hegerberg doubles the lead from the penalty spot!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) December 21, 2023
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Lyon’s Lindsey Horan told DAZN: “It’s a battle, they are giving us a good game. We need to be more calm and patient.”
Half-time! Brann 1-2 Lyon
Lyon were quick to open their scoring, with their first shot at goal, though Majri and Hegerberg added a penalty but the most impressive goal has come from Brann. An absolute screamer from Kielland sent the crowd wild and set hopes of a famous comeback for the hosts.
45 + 1 min: Brann lose out and Lyon look to extend their lead. Possession bounces around and it eventually comes to Mikalsen who can clear. There will be one minute added.
44 min: Brann win a free kick and it is Morroni who gives it away, she is already on a yellow card and she gets a warning from the referee. The hosts take the free kick quickly but will have to build as it was taken from their own half.
42 min: Egurrola was the player who was down after a head knock I believe, she is now waiting to re-enter play so is okay to continue. Play is back underway.
41 min: While we wait for play to get back underway here is Kielland’s goal:
WHAT A GOAL!!!!!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) December 21, 2023
Justine Kielland fires it home for Brann. 🚀
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40 min: Lund pops the ball into a congested box but Lyon clear, Brann look to come again but a Lyon player is down and needs some attentions so a break in play.
39 min: Mbock Bathy looks aghast as she doesn’t win a foul and Brann play on, eventually Lyon are able to dispossess them and they look to attack but the play is sloppy. Since conceding they haven’t clicked back into place. Brann look to equalise through Engesvik but she wins a corner instead.
37 min: Brann have really awoken now, they are hunting for an equaliser before half-time but they run it out of play for a goal kick. I’m going to have a look for that Kielland goal so you can watch it, it was unbelievable.
35 min: Brann broke so quickly, a really well worked move from the team. Gaupset passed to Lund, Lyon failed to clear and Kielland rocketed a shot in the top right corner. What a goal.
GOAL! Brann 1-2 Lyon (Kielland, 34')
WHAT A SCREAMER!
34 min: Lund is over the set piece once again and it is a good delivery but Endler watches it all the way and she plucks it out of the air. Lyon launch their own attack and Morroni sends the ball in, Horan has a chance but her effort is miles over the bar.
32 min: Morroni has been given a yellow card for a challenge on Kvamme and Brann have a free kick in a good position.
30 min: Hegerberg is down again and she attempts to play the ball on the floor but the whistle goes. She looks stunned as the referee rules in Brann’s favour but Lyon quickly win it back. Diani makes a good run but she then gives away a foul and Brann can clear.
28 min: “Are they playing the Champions League game at the Brann Stadion or the Åsane Arena tonight?,” asks Krister Halvorsen.
Thank you for the question, it is being played at the Åsane Arena. Back to the match and Stenevik has been given a yellow card for a foul on Horan.
27 min: Horan takes the set piece but her attempts hits the wall, Carpenter pops the ball back in and Diani gets a volley on target but Mikalsen is wise to it – the French international was offside regardless.
25 min: Lund puts in a good delivery but it is initially cleared, Engesvik gets it back and creates space for a cross in with a beautiful back heel pass, the resulting cross though has too much on it. Some really good play from the hosts. Lyon win it back and move the ball quickly, Hegerberg is then fouled on the edge of the area and wins a free kick.
23 min: Brann give it away and Horan connects with Hegerberg but she loses out, much to the delight of supporters. Brann have a brilliant period on the ball and Gaupset wins a corner.
21 min: The game has become slightly disjointed in the last few minutes, possession exchanging hands frequently but Brann have it. Gaupset has a great run, fans boo as they believe she was fouled but nothing is given.
19 min: Brann have had more shots on target, four, but they are yet to break through. Amazingly Lyon have had two shots and scored from both. Brann come forward now though but it’s halted with a foul on Majri.
17 min: Brann’s play out of the back is such a risky move, it is what led to the penalty as they lost it after a poor pass, they are sticking with the tactic though. It’s not long until Lyon are back in possession, it could be a very long evening for the hosts. Chances pepper down on the goal but Brann do just enough – that was close.
15 min: Lyon are coming again, they want to bury this match early but Morroni gives away a free kick for a foul on Kielland and so Brann can clear.
PENALTY! Brann 0-2 Lyon (Hegerberg, 13')
She just loves to score in this competition. Hegerberg strikes it cleanly and sends Mikalsen the wrong way.
14 min: Lyon have a penalty after Ostenstad pushing a Lyon player in the box. It looks like a close call.
12 min: Brann gift Lyon the ball and Hegerberg has a good run and cross in but Mikalsen reads the play and collects.
10 min: Crummer gets the ball stuck under her feet but Brann manage to stay in possession but they are being forced to play a lot in their own half. Lyon’s play seems to have levelled out since the goal, much more composed.
9 min: Brann have a great response to conceding, immediately throwing a punch of their own with a cross into the box but Morroni clears.
7 min: Brann will be hugely frustrated as they have started so brightly. Carpenter made a great run down the right and crossed in, Majri was there to put in a one-touch finish.
GOAL! Brann 0-1 Lyon (Majri, 6')
Out of nowhere!
6 min: A lot of fractious play from both sides at the moment, Lyon are getting more possession but their well-worked team moves fail to be clinical with their final passes. Brann are frantic in their attack but so far it has been effective, Gaupset has another shot but it’s cleared.
4 min: Lyon win a free kick for a clear shove on Hegerberg, the French side take it quickly but sloppy play sees Brann clear the danger. Brann starting the brighter here so far but one chance for Lyon and they could be in, this time sees Diani on the run but Ostenstad closes it down for a goal kick. Brann counter and Carpenter attempts to clear but her pass meets Gaupset but her shot is over the bar.
2 min: This has to be one of the loudest women’s football crowds I have heard in the WCL, these fans are bang up for this and their team are too. Brann put together a great move and it is initially fumbled by Lyon’s defence but Morroni clears.
Kick-off! Brann 0-0 Lyon
Here we go. Will Brann cause an upset? Or will Lyon’s charge for a ninth title continue unbeaten? We will find out shortly.
The players have emerged and the crowd have got even louder, what an electric atmosphere for this match.
Brann have sold a fair few tickets, songs are already being sung in anticipation of the players emerging from the tunnel.
Brann and Lyon faced one another just over a week ago, if you want to relive any of the action have a read of our blog:
There are three other matches taking place today in the Women’s Champions League. Eintracht Frankfurt v Benfica kicks off at 5.45pm GMT with the two later games, Rosengard v Barcelona and Slavia Praha v St Polten, starting at 8pm GMT. I will bring you all the updates from Eintracht Frankfurt v Benfica when I can.
This is my last football blog of the year so I would love to know your football moment of 2023. I think mine is a toss up between the Women’s World Cup semi-final between Australia and England, a great battle and Sam Kerr’s goal was amazing, or Arsenal selling out the Emirates for their Women’s Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg. You can get in touch via email or Twitter, or X as it is now known.
“It’s the morning here in California, so forgive me for predicting that Lyon will have Brann for breakfast,” Peter Oh writes.
I can always count on you for a good pun! This one made me chuckle, though in terms of football I hope Lyon won’t under-estimate their opponents.
Before the match tonight, goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen has signed a contract extension with Brann. The deal will keep her at the club until 2024 and she said: “It’s a great group that pushes each other, and together with a good coach in Martin Ho, the choice was not difficult.”
Not only has Ada Hegerberg been in the spotlight this week with the potential of her facing her sister in a match, but talk around her contract have been in question. Her deal with Lyon runs out next year and Barcelona has made their interest very clear. Lyon manager Sonia Bompastor said in the pre-match presser, with Hegerberg sat next to her: “There are discussions around her contract extension. Personally I would like to extend”.
So how would Brann or Lyon secure a quarter-final spot in this game? Well for Brann, they need to beat Lyon and for the other game in their group, Slavia Praha v St Polten, to finish as a draw. For eight-time winners Lyon they must avoid defeat to Brann or if the other match is drawn. If Lyon beat Brann they will be confirmed as group winners.
The team news is in! Brann have made two changes from the team who played Lypn last week with Stenevik and Engesvik in. Andrine Hegerberg starts from the bench.
Brann: Mikalsen, Tynnila, Ostenstad, Stenevik, Lund, Kielland, Haugland, Kvamme, Gaupset, Engesvik, Crummer.
Lyon, meanwhile, have made three changes with Mbock Bathy, Horan and Majri in. Captain Renard doesn’t make the matchday squad.
Lyon: Endler, Carpenter, Mbock Bathy, Gilles, Morroni, Van de Donk, Egurrola, Horan, Majri, Diani, Hegerberg.
Preamble
Welcome back to the Women’s Champions League where we have a family affair in battle this evening. Brann host Lyon where the Hegerberg sisters will be on opposing sides.
Last week when the two teams met in France Andrine Hegerberg was injured and there is no guarantee that she will play this evening. But if she does she will come up against her younger sister, and the competition’s all-time top scorer, Ada Hegerberg.
Not only is family pride on the line but a spot in the quarter-finals. The rest of tonight’s match could determine a last-eight spot for one of the sides, we will come onto permutations shortly.
But first we have the team news ahead of kick=off at 5.45pm GMT. Let’s take a peak at the starting XI’s, stay tuned.
