The footballers of VfL Wolfsburg silenced the Emirates Stadium and reached the Champions League final.
In front of a record English crowd of 60,063 fans, the German doubles winner won the semi-final thriller at Arsenal 3-2 after extra time. After regulation time it was 2:2 (1:1).
“I’m overwhelmed. It was super, super tough. They could have won or we could have won. We were the happier team today,” said VfL goal scorer Jill Roord on “DAZN”.
In the final on June 3rd in Eindhoven, the Wolfsburg women are aiming for their third title in the premier class. Opponent is then FC Barcelona.
Pauline Bremer (119th) secured the final ticket in extra time. In addition, Alexandra Popp (58th) and Roord (41st) scored for the Wolfsburg team, who can continue to dream of a treble. Stina Blackstenius (11th) and Jennifer Beattie (75th) were successful for Arsenal, who eliminated Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. The first leg last week ended 2-2.
The Lower Saxony are in the final for the most important trophy in European club football for the sixth time. VfL won the previous two titles in 2013 and 2014.
VfL Wolfsburg again with Alexandra Popp
As expected, the Wolfsburg team coached by Tommy Stroot started with Popp. The captain, who missed the first leg last week with a calf injury, lurked behind the attacking midfield for her chance. But initially in vain.
The guests tried to force Arsenal to make mistakes by pressing, but then made a mistake themselves. Central defender Kathrin Hendrich and goalkeeper Merle Frohms did not communicate properly after a deep pass. Blackstenius conquered the ball and hit the empty goal of the Frohms who rushed out.
The lead initially gave the hosts security, Arsenal withdrew. Stroot stripped off his jacket on the sidelines and paced, observing improvement. His team got the English women moving better and better.
Arsenal goal disallowed for offside
The reward followed promptly: Popp cleverly placed the ball on Roord after a long free-kick, and the Dutchwoman converted from the edge of the box to the right. Shortly before the break, VfL player Sveindis Jonsdottir could have taken the lead after a 50-metre solo, but aimed too centrally (45+4).
Shortly after the restart, the crowd at the Emirates Stadium, sold out for the first time in Arsenal women’s history, jumped up again, but Blackstenius’ second goal was ruled out for offside. On the other hand, national player Lena Oberdorf (53rd) headed too imprecisely.
VfL was now clearly the better team. Jonsdottir’s shot cleared Arsenal in dire need on the line (58′), in the same minute Popp headed in from a corner. Svenja Huth (69th) should have increased as a result.
Arsenal’s equalizer then got the stadium raging before Bremer threw in in extra time after strong assists from Jule Brand.