May 01, (THEWILL) – Arsenal Women suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final, as Wolfsburg booked their place in the final against Barcelona with a late 119th-minute goal.
A record crowd of 60,063 saw the Gunners take the lead through Frida Blackstenius, before former Arsenal midfielder, Jill Roord, levelled. Alexandra Popp and Jennifer Beattie then scored before Wolfsburg snatched the victory with a late goal. Jule Brand robbed Lotte Wubben-Moy in the final third to set up substitute Pauline Bremer’s tap-in after the game had been forced into extra time.
Despite the absence of some key players through injury, the sold-out Emirates Stadium was rocking, as Arsenal made a dream start. A defensive mix-up allowed Blackstenius to nip in and score the opener. However, Wolfsburg had the majority of the possession in the first half, and Roord’s equaliser meant that Arsenal paid for their missed opportunities.
Popp’s header put the Germans ahead again, but Beattie’s header forced the game to extra time. However, it was Wolfsburg who had the final say, as substitute, Brand, set up Bremer’s winner in the dying moments of the game. The attendance of 60,063 set a new record for a women’s domestic game in England and any women’s club match away from Camp Nou.
Despite the disappointment, the Arsenal fans stayed behind to cheer their team off the pitch. Wolfsburg will now face Barcelona in the final at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven on 3 June. Meanwhile, Arsenal Women’s attention will turn to their remaining games in the Women’s Super League.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
