Tabitha Chawinga absent as Lyonness reach UEFA WCL final

Malawi women’s national team captain Tabitha Chawinga was not in action as Olympique Lyonnes stunned Arsenal to achieve the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UEFA WCL) milestone on Saturday, 2 May 2026.

The 29-year-old, who has been struggling with a hip injury, did not make it into the line-up of the French Ligue 1 Feminin champions. Nonetheless, they beat Arsenal 3-1 to reach the UEFA WCL final.

Wendie Renard’s penalty, Kadidiatou Diani’s goal plus Jule Brand late strike took OL Lyonnes through to their 12th final as they booted out the holders 4-3 on aggregate.

Who scored for Olympique Lyonnes and Arsenal?

Alessia Russo scored the consolation goal for the Gunners, who got a bitter taste of their own medicine after they dismissed Olympique Lyonnes at the similar stage of the European competition last year.

Last Sunday, Chawinga was an unused substitute for OL Lyonnes as they lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the UEFA WCL semi-final, first leg in London.

Can Tabitha Chawinga emulate Faith Chinzimu in the UEFA WCL?

The Malawian should be available for the final and seek to emulate compatriot Faith Chinzimu, who was an unused substitute for her Swedish side BK Häcken as they won the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup on Friday, 1 May 2026.

The overall winner of the OL Lyonnes and Arsenal tie will meet either last year’s finalists, Barcelona or Bayern Munich, in the Champions League final.