Arsenal FC have defended their lead from the first leg against Chelsea FC in the Women’s Champions League and are in the semi-finals.
After winning 3-1 in the first leg, Arsenal progressed despite losing 1-0 in the second leg. The German international Sjoeke Nüsken scored the goal for Chelsea (90+4), but it came too late.
Arsenal will now face the winners of the match between Olympique Lyon and VfL Wolfsburg in the semi-finals on Thursday (9 p.m./first leg 1-0 for Wolfsburg).
Chelsea with the better chances, but no goals
Nüsken, who moved from Eintracht Frankfurt to Chelsea in 2023, shot past the goal from a free-standing shot from eleven meters to the right of the goal at the start of the game (8th). Alyssa Thompson initially missed the target on the left (16th) and then shot over the goal (32nd). Chelsea had more of the game, but went into the break 0-0. After the restart, Samantha Kerr tried again for Chelsea from 16 meters, but was denied by goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar (53′).
Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord crosses
Arsenal’s best chance initially fell to Stina Blackstenius with a header in the 74th minute, but it went over the goal. A little later, Blackstenius scored with a header, but the video assistant determined in advance that the position was offside (79′).
The game remained entertaining, Chelsea literally despaired: Nüsken aimed a diving header just wide (81′), then Lauren James’ shot was initially denied by goalkeeper van Domselaar, Buurman hit the post in the follow-up shot (85′). Beth Mead almost scored a goal for Arsenal in stoppage time – but also only hit the post (90+1).
Nüsken scored on a pass from Kerr in stoppage time (90+4), but the goal ultimately came too late for Chelsea, who lost coach Sonia Bompastor with a yellow-red card.
Final in Oslo as the goal
Bayern Munich had previously beaten Manchester United 2-1 in the second leg after a 3-2 win in the first leg. Bayern will face FC Barcelona or Real Madrid; Barcelona won the first leg 6-2.
The final will take place on May 23rd in Oslo at the Ullevål Stadium – Arsenal’s big goal.
The Ullevål stadium in Oslo
