Arsenal 2-3 Wolfsburg (agg 4-5 aet) – Gunners suffer late defeat in WCL semi

Arsenal were knocked out of the Women’s Champions League semi-finals with a crushing extra-time defeat by two-time winners Wolfsburg at a sold-out Emirates Stadium.

In front of a record crowd for a domestic women’s game in England, Arsenal put the 60,063 fans through an array of emotions before they were left heartbroken after 120 minutes.

Arsenal had taken an early lead through Stina Blackstenius after avoiding a video assistant referee (VAR) scare for a potential handball in the box by Wubben-Moy in the opening minutes.

Wolfsburg then responded as returning captain Alexandra Popp – ruled out of the first leg with a calf injury – set up Jill Roord to make it 1-1 on the night, and later headed the visitors in front.

A Blackstenius close-range finish was ruled out by VAR shortly into the second half but Arsenal’s Jen Beattie restored hope, heading in a corner with 15 minutes of normal time remaining to level the tie.

As extra time arrived, anxiety grew inside the Emirates, and though Arsenal looked more threatening they could not find a late goal and Bremer punished Wubben-Moy’s mistake.

Wolfsburg will now take on Barcelona for the trophy on 3 June in Eindhoven, after last year’s runners-up beat Chelsea in the other semi-final.

Fine margins – Arsenal pay for late mistake

It was the worst possible ending for Arsenal, who had competed bravely across both legs – coming from 2-0 down in Germany to draw 2-2 – and they looked distraught at full-time.

Talk of Arsenal’s historic Quadruple in 2007 dominated the pre-match build-up as they looked to replicate the achievements of that squad who remain the only English team in women’s football to become European champions.

Given what was at stake for the winners, Arsenal looked cagey in the early stages of the second leg but after Blackstenius pounced on Wolfsburg’s miscommunication at the back to slot in the opener, they began to impose themselves on the two-time German champions.

Victoria Pelova and Blackstenius made dangerous runs in behind which caused problems for defender Kathrin Hendrich but were unable to capitalise.

Former Arsenal midfielder Roord punished them, making no mistake when she was teed up by Popp and celebrated wildly after firing past goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.

Popp, whose presence made a difference for Wolfsburg, showed her clinical instinct with a smart header at the near post – but Beattie’s was equally as impressive at the other end when she levelled the tie.

It was perfectly balanced going into extra time and looked destined for a penalty shootout before Wubben-Moy’s heavy touch gifted possession to Wolfsburg on the edge of the area.

Bremer slid in to poke home the winner and ran over to the touchline to celebrate at a stunned Emirates.

Both English clubs failed to progress to the final having suffered heavy injuries to key players in the build-up, but Arsenal were fine margins from victory.

Missed opportunities as Arsenal create plenty of chances

There were several moments in the game which proved decisive.

VAR played its part – not awarding Wolfsburg a penalty in the opening few minutes, ruling out Blackstenius’ goal after the restart and taking a long time to confirm Beattie’s header late on.

Arsenal missed some big chances in extra time to put the game to bed as Lina Hurtig was denied by goalkeeper Merle Frohms with a first-time strike from close range and Frida Maanum struck over the bar after being played in.

Wolfsburg’s Bremer should have scored but lashed the ball wide after it fell kindly for her in the six-yard area – but she later made up for it.

Arsenal winger Katie McCabe also clipped the crossbar when her pull-back floated over the head of goalkeeper Frohms.

Manager Jonas Eidevall will be disappointed Arsenal lacked a clinical touch, 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.

They were dealt another injury blow during the game as substitute Laura Wienroither lasted 18 minutes before going down in pain off the ball and being stretchered off.