Lauren James has late penalty overturned by VAR in Chelsea's draw with Lyon

Chelsea faced Lyon in a goalless draw at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, where a late penalty awarded to Lauren James was overturned by VAR. Initially, referee Marta Huerta de Aza pointed to the spot after James was brought down by Damaris Egurrola, but she changed her decision after reviewing the incident on the monitor. This moment proved crucial as both teams struggled to find the back of the net throughout the match.

Despite the lack of goals, the match was competitive, with both sides having chances to secure a win. Ada Hegerberg came close for Lyon, forcing Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton into a remarkable save during added time. Chelsea's James also had a significant opportunity but failed to convert, shooting directly at Lyon's goalkeeper Maria Grohs from a promising position.

The match marked Sonia Bompastor's return to Lyon, where she previously won the Champions League in 2022. Bompastor expressed disappointment over the outcome, stating that her team created enough chances to win. She acknowledged the tactical challenges posed by Chelsea and highlighted the importance of the team's cohesion as they continue to develop their play early in the season.

Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze noted that while her team dominated possession, the draw was a fair result given the competitive nature of the match. She praised both teams for their efforts, especially considering Chelsea's recent fixture against Arsenal. Bronze emphasised the significance of hard work and teamwork in a challenging game against a strong opponent.

via Sky Sports