ARSENAL WOMEN were knocked out of the Champions League 2-3 (4 – 5 on agg) by VfL Wolfsburg after conceding in extra time, reports the Voice of Sport from Emirates Stadium. A late goal by Pauline Bremer was enough to kill the Gunners’ Euro dreams for another season.
The tie was finely poised following a 2-2 draw in Germany on April 23 – and a record crowd of over 60,000 witnessed Jonas Eidevall’s side compete for a place in the final, to be played in Eindhoven on Saturday, June 3.
The Emirates was bathed in pre-match sunshine but the positive mood nearly came to end with an almost immediate VAR check for handball against Lotte Wubben-Moy after the ball was played into the home penalty area. Despite ref Lina Lehtovara going to the pitchside monitor she decided not to award the expected penalty.
That lucky break pushed the hosts on and they were to take the lead on the 12th minute courtesy of a fine Stina Blackstenuius goal. There were more nervy moments for the Arsenal players, staff and faithful when VAR kicked in but moments later the goal was awarded.
The German oufit came to life when Lynn Wilms hit a fierce shot from distance but Manuela Zinsberger proved more than competent in the Arsenal goal. Jill Roord was next to try her luck for Wolfsburg but her effort went wide.
At this stage, Arsenal were the better side with the energetic Katie McCabe running the show. She was literally everywhere as she cajoled her team into action and led by example.
Blackstenius nearly added a second but saw her shot saved by Merle Frohms after ball fell kindly to the striker after a corner.
That big chance was to come back and haunt Arsenal. Roord fired in from distance with her left foot to silence the Emirates.
Things could have got worse for the home side but after a mazy run past several defenders, Sveindis Jonsdottir could not find a finish.
A pumped up home side thought they had gone further ahead just after the restart when Blackstenius slotted home but VAR soon silenced most in the crowd.
It was to prove a key moment.
Zinsberger nearly provided a calamitous moment, almost allowing the ball to drop into the net when invited to collect the ball by her defenders. In the end all she did concede was a corner.
In the 57th minute the dynamic McCabe cleared off the line with the Germans now looking much more dangerous. The visitors were to get their reward for an improved display when captain Alexandra Popp headed in after a pinpoint corner.
But Arsenal were not done. Just before being subbed Blackstenius was just inches from connecting with a pass from Steph Catley.
The German side should have scored again but Svenja Huth put her shot wide of the post after being expertly played in by Jonsdottir.
To Arsenal’s credit, despite being down to the bear bones after crippling injuries to key players, they kept going. They restored parity via a Jennifer Beattie header when the ball was recycled after a corner.
The first period of extra time saw the hosts have the best chance but Lina Hurtig was denied by the alert Frohms.
There were two sets of very tired players contesting the second half of extra time. Gunner Frida Maanum had a wild effort and Bremer was just inches wide with a left foot shot. McCabe then hit the woodwork as the hosts nearly sealed a famous victory.
But it wasn’t to be as Bremer pounced after a defensive mistake to ensure that the German outfit play Barcelona in the final.
Comments Form