Chelsea were defeated 4-3 on penalties by Lyon in their opening match at the Women’s International Champions Cup in the early hours of this morning.
The two sides battled out a 2-2 draw after normal time at Providence Park in Portland before the European champions secured a place in Sunday’s final after holding their nerve from 12 yards.
Chelsea started brightly in the United States and Sam Kerr soon fired The Blues into the lead. A long ball upfield found the Australian international and she coolly lobbed her effort over Lyon keeper Christiane Endler and into the net.
There were no further goals in the first half but Chelsea doubled their advantage early in the second half. Manager Emma Hayes has talked about the importance of youngster Lauren James to the team this season and she put down an early marker for her personal success by beating a Lyon defender and curling the ball across goal into the far corner of the net.
The European champions were on the ropes but Lindsey Horan gave them some hope by curling a free-kick beyond Blues keeper Zećira Mušović with 14 minutes to go.
Lyon levelled the tie two minutes from time when Daniëlle van de Donk’s shot hit the post and the ball cannoned back perfectly for Signe Bruun to bundle in from a couple of yards.
The game was to be decided on penalty kicks and both Erin Cuthbert and Millie Bright missed in the shootout as Lyon secured their place in the final with a 4-3 victory.
Chelsea will now face Portland Thorns in a third-place play-off at Providence Park in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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