Arsenal Women have crashed out of the Champions League in a gutting semi-final defeat to two-time champions Wolfsburg, conceding in the 119th minute of extra-time as the German side ran out as 3-2 winners on the night.
Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius got the Gunners off to the perfect start in front of over 60,000 fans at the Emirates, putting the north London club 1-0 up after 11 minutes to hand them a 3-2 lead on aggregate after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
But Wolfsburg – a true European powerhouse in women’s football – who won the Champions League in 2013 and 2014 and were runners-up in 2016, 2018 and 2020, showed their experience and scored twice to turn the game on its head.
Netherlands midfielder Jill Roord levelled it shortly before half-time and just after the restart, Blackstenius restored Arsenal’s lead before VAR ruled it out for offside.
Germany striker Alexandra Popp – a Wolfsburg legend – then gave the away side the lead on 58 minutes with her glancing header beating Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.
That silenced the record crowd at the Emirates but with 15 minutes to play, Scotland international defender Jen Beattie stepped up to make it 2-2 to take the game to extra-time, with the equaliser confirmed following a lengthy VAR check.
Chances came and went in the extra period but Pauline Bremer broke Arsenal hearts in the 119th minute as Arsenal players slumped to their knees in what was a brutal loss for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
More to follow…
