Lineth Beerensteyn delivers crucial victory for Wolfsburg against OL Lyon in UWCL quarter finals

The 29 year old struck after 14 minutes on a counter attack to catch the eight time champions off guard and hand the Germans a narrow advantage before the return fixture in France next week.

"The difference was that we were really strong collectively," Beerensteyn said to UEFA.

"We fought for every metre, for every goal, and in the end we won 1-0. I'm so proud of this team. It was an amazing performance today. If we show the same spirit (in the second leg) as we did today, we can make it very difficult."

Lyon, aiming to claim the title for the first time since 2022, started brightly and controlled much of the early ball, yet the hosts grabbed the opener against the flow of the game.

Germany's Vivien Endemann picked off the ball and surged along the left flank before squaring it to Beerensteyn.

The Dutch forward needed to twist to take the pass that arrived a bit behind her before firing with her right boot, a touch diverting it past Chile's Christiane Endler in the Lyon net. This marked Beerensteyn's fifth strike in the Champions League this season.

The French team, who had overcome Wolfsburg 3-1 during the league stage, kept hold of most of the possession, but Wolfsburg, with their consecutive Champions League triumphs in 2013 and 2014, proved more incisive on quick breaks.

Around the 30 minute mark, Endler dashed out to block Ella Peddemors' effort from the left foot, while experienced defender Wendie Renard, meeting Wolfsburg for the 12th occasion in the Champions League, hacked the loose ball clear.

Ada Hegerberg nearly equalised right at the start of the second period, but her header was stopped by Ella Peddemors, who nodded it off the line.

Shortly before the hour, Kadidiatou Diani came near for Lyon too, her angled drive across the face ricocheting away from the Wolfsburg upright.

Lyon kept pushing for a leveller, with Marie-Antoinette Katoto nodding astray just prior to the end.

"It's true there's some disappointment but we know it's only the first match, there are still 90 minutes left," Lyon's Ashley Lawrence said to L'Equipe.

"Now it's up to us to analyse things and come back stronger. There were positives as well; we created chances, we even hit the post."

The return match takes place in Lyon on Thursday, April 2, where the victors will meet Arsenal or Chelsea in the semi finals. Arsenal capitalised in their opening tie on Tuesday night, prevailing 3-1.