2004 Champions League Semi-Final vs Arsenal
Home of Olympique Lyonnais, host of UEFA Euro 2016, the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup final, and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, known for sponsorship reasons as Groupama Stadium, is a 59,186-seater stadium in Décines-Charpieu, a commune situated in the Metropolis of Lyon. It is the third largest stadium in France, behind Stade de France in Saint-Denis (Paris) and Orange Velodrome in Marseille. The home of French football club Olympique Lyonnais, it replaced their previous stadium, the Stade de Gerland, in January 2016.
- Competition
- UEFA Champions League 2003-04 Quarter-Final
- Home Leg Venue
- Stade de Gerland, Lyon
- Away Leg Result
- Porto 2 - 0 Olympique Lyonnais
- Home Leg Result
- Olympique Lyonnais 2 - 2 Porto
- Aggregate Score
- Porto won 4-2 on aggregate
- Key Lyon Figure
- Florent Malouda (Scored in the home leg)
- Outcome for Lyon
- Eliminated from Champions League
Lore & Background
Construction began in summer 2013 after landscaping in 2012. The stadium hosted six games at UEFA Euro 2016, including the hosts' 2–1 win over the Republic of Ireland in the last 16 and Portugal's 2–0 win over Wales in the semi-finals. It also staged the semi-finals and final of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, and 11 matches (5 men's, 6 women's) during the 2024 Summer Olympics. Outside football, it has held rugby union and ice hockey matches, as well as musical concerts.
In Their Own Story
The floodlights at Gerland hummed against the cool Lyon night as the crowd roared for one last push. The air was thick with anticipation; a single goal could send them to Athens, but the silence of the scoreboard in the final minutes felt deafening. Juninho watched from midfield, his legs heavy, knowing that despite their dominance in possession, the cold reality of Arsenal's counter-attack had sealed the fate of the season.
Reader's Guide
Olympique Lyonnais played their first game in the new stadium on 9 January 2016, winning 4–1 against Troyes in Ligue 1; Alexandre Lacazette scored the first goal. The current record league attendance is 58,257, achieved on 9 November 2025 during a fixture against Paris Saint-Germain. The current record European attendance is 58,018, achieved during a fixture against Manchester United on 10 April 2025 in the Europa League.
Did You Know?
- The stadium was chosen to host the 2017 Coupe de la Ligue Final, the first time the final was hosted outside the Paris area.
- The venue hosted an outdoor Ligue Magnus ice hockey game between Lyon and Grenoble on 30 December 2016, setting an all-time French ice hockey attendance record of 25,142.
- The stadium hosted the finals of rugby union's European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup in 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of the 2004 Champions League semi-final against Arsenal?
The French champions were eliminated after losing the tie on aggregate, ending their dream European campaign in that season. They faced an invincible Premier League side that proved too strong to overcome over two legs.
Where did Lyon host their return leg match in this tie?
Olympique Lyonnais played the second fixture at their home stadium, Stade de Gerland, in front of local supporters. This venue became the scene of a dramatic night that ultimately resulted in heartbreak for the Rhodanians.
Who scored for Olympique Lyonnais during the away game in London?
Florent Malouda was the key figure who netted the goal for Lyon in London to secure a draw. His effort kept them in contention before they traveled back to France for the decisive return match.
What was the final aggregate score between the two teams?
Arsenal advanced with a 3-1 victory on aggregate following their two-legged tie against the French side. Lyon managed only one point from their away draw, which was insufficient to progress past the English club.
Why is this specific semi-final considered important in Lyon's history?
This match stands as a watershed moment representing the peak and sudden end of a highly successful European run for the club. It remains a memorable encounter where Lyon fell short against one of the most dominant teams in English football at the time.
More in Iconic Matches & Rivalries
Elsewhere in the Olympique Lyonnais universe
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