Beth Mead produced a masterclass against European champions Lyon, just two days after finishing second in the Womenâs Ballon dâOr.Â
The Arsenal star scored twice, including a stunning free-kick as the Gunners defeated the French side 5-1 in their opening group game of the Womenâs Champions League.Â
Mead, who was named the Player of the Match, went over to the travelling Arsenal fans after the time and picked out a sign that a member of the crowd was holding.Â
Why did Beth Mead hold the sign?
At the Ballon dâOr ceremony, Mead was snapped on the red carpet alongside girlfriend Vivianne Miedema, who also plays for the Gunners.Â
Yet, the caption described her only as a nameless "guestâ, sparking multiple people to react online.Â
Miedema screenshotted the photo and posted it on her own personal Twitter, alongside the caption: "Happy I got to take my guest yesterday @bmeado9.âÂ
Mead also appeared to see the funny side of the situation and held up a sign against Lyon that read "Guest Meadâs on fire.âÂ
The forward also proceeded to dance with the away fans, all of whom were jubilant after Arsenal dismantled one of the best womenâs sides of all time.Â
Video: Beth Mead holds sign and dances with fans after Arsenal thrash Lyon
How did Arsenal beat Lyon?
Jonas Eidevallâs side comprehensively outplayed Lyon and were more than deserving victors on the night.Â
Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum gave the Gunners a 2-0 lead, only for Melvine Malard to pull a goal back.Â
Mead then re-established Arsenalâs two-goal cushion, before Foord got her second of the game.
The England star then notched Arsenalâs fifth of the match to complete a resounding victory.Â
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's second goal during the FA Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
This was the first time Lyon had ever lost a Champions League match by three goals or more and the first time theyâve conceded more than four in a game for 17 years.
Itâs a huge statement of intent from Eidevallâs team, who have underperformed in the Champions League for many years now.Â
Though there is still a long way to go in the group, this was the perfect start to the tournament.
How close was Beth Mead to winning the Ballon dâOr?
In the end, it was Barcelonaâs Alexia Putellas who claimed her second Ballon dâOr victory in a row.Â
Yet, voting results revealed that Mead only lost to the Spaniard by one point and was agonisingly close to winning the most prestigious individual accolade in football.Â
Nonetheless, the Lionesses star bounced back from this disappointment with a masterclass against Lyon and if that performance was anything to go by sheâll no doubt be in the running for next yearâs award as well.
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