On a glorious evening in North London, a record-breaking crowd witnessed one of the best Champions League semi-finals in living memory. Arsenal, the last remaining English team in the Women's Champions League, hosted two-time winners, Wolfsburg in the second-leg of the semi-finals. Arsenal were hoping to reach their first final since winning the competion 14 years ago. Alas, it wasn't meant to be, as a heart-breaking defeat, deep into extra-time, saw the Gunners' dreams shattered and the reigning German champions book their place in the final against the formidable Barcelona.
The Emirates Stadium was packed to the rafters, with a sold-out crowd of 60,063 fans setting a new record for a womens club match in England. The stage was set for a classic encounter between two top sides, and the players didn't disappoint. From the first whistle, the game was played at a high tempo, with both teams pressing and attacking with intent. None more-so than Arsenal captain Katie McCabe who set the tone from the beggining, hunting and harrying the opposition and brining huge energy to the game.
Captain Katie McCabe. Leading by example! pic.twitter.com/5xdH5wA96c
— AWFCLIPS (@awfclips) May 1, 2023
Arsenal started brightly and took the lead after just 15 minutes, thanks to a clinical finish from Stina Blackstenius. The Swedish forward pounced on a defensive mistake by Wolfsburg and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to send the Emirates into raptures. It was the perfect start for the Gunners, who had were looking for a quick start.
STINA BLACKSTENIUS puts arsenal ahead!!!
1-0 Arsenal pic.twitter.com/RSeAp3Y2VQ— AWFCLIPS (@awfclips) May 1, 2023
Wolfsburg showed why they are a quality side and didn't panic. The German outfit responded brilliantly, equalising just ten minutes later through Jill Roord. The Dutch midfielder latched onto a cross from returning captain Alexandra Popp and fired past the Arsenal goalkeeper to level the scores. It was a stunning goal and a sign of things to come from the German side.
JILL ROORD LEVELS IT FOR WOLFSBURG 💚
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🇩🇪 https://t.co/sRzmGRnESd pic.twitter.com/ZZnRGQIXmq— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) May 1, 2023
Wolfsburg grew in confidence after the equaliser and took the lead just before half-time, thanks to a towering header from Popp. The German international caused Arsenal problems all game and rose highest to meet a corner and powered her header into the net, leaving the Arsenal defence stranded. It was a deserved lead for Wolfsburg, who had dominated the latter stages of the first half.
After the break, Arsenal came out fighting in the second half and thought they had equalised through Blackstenius, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review for offside. That goal finally arrived with just 15 minutes remaining, as Jen Beattie rose highest to meet a corner which found the ned. It was a brilliant header from the Scottish defender, who had been a rock at the back for Arsenal throughout the game. The Emirates erupted once again, as the Gunners sensed a famous victory was on the cards.
KATIE MCCABE NEARLY WITH THE WINNER FOR ARSENAL 😮
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🇩🇪 https://t.co/sRzmGRnESd pic.twitter.com/I6mVuoCGLW— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) May 1, 2023
The game went into extra time, and the tension inside the stadium was palpable. Both teams had chances to win the game, with Wolfsburg's Lina Hurtig denied by a brilliant save from the Arsenal goalkeeper, and Arsenal's Frida Maanum firing over the bar when well-placed. Katie McCabe also clipped the crossbar when her pull-back floated over the head of goalkeeper Frohms. It looked like the game was heading for a penalty shootout, but then disaster struck for Arsenal.
With just minutes remaining, defender Lotte Wubben-Moy made a terrible mistake, gifting possession to Wolfsburg on the edge of her own area. Substitute Pauline Bremer was unmarked in the box and poked the ball past the goalkeeper to send Wolfsburg into the final. The Emirates fell silent, as Arsenal's dreams were shattered in the cruelest of fashions.
PAULINE BREMER HAS SURELY WON IT FOR WOLFSBURG!! 💚💚💚
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🇩🇪 https://t.co/sRzmGRnESd pic.twitter.com/YHofsmSPHG— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) May 1, 2023
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall will be disappointed of how Arsenal went out but having lost captain Kim Little, key defender Leah Williamson and in-form striker Caitlin Foord in recent weeks, it was always a tall order for the Gunners to reach the final and they certainly pushed the German champions all the way.
Wolfsburg midfielder Roord acknowledged the challenge that Arsenal posed and praised their performance: "Credit to Arsenal, they've been through a lot as a team, but they made it super hard. At the end they could have won - we could have won. We were the lucky ones."
After a tough loss @Katie_McCabe11 gives a post game interview like a true professional. Doesn't pass blame. Focuses on the team and all they did to get to that point and what to look forward to. Much respect for her. Brilliant footballer! https://t.co/Ac4LDGYnOB
— Sean Nahas (@NahasSean) May 1, 2023
