Arsenal crash out of Champions League after shock defeat to Paris FC | OneFootball

Arsenal have crashed out of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League in Round 1 after being defeated 4-2 on penalties by Paris FC in their final tie at the Linköping Arena this afternoon.

The two sides battled out a 2-2 draw in normal time before both scored again in extra-time. In the resulting penalty shootout, Arsenal missed two of their four kicks as Paris FC recorded a surprise victory.

Arsenal created a couple of good chances in the first half. Frida Maanum forced a save from Paris FC keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie before Lotte Wubben-Moy saw a header hit the post. At the other end, Julie Dufour saw a shot blocked by Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger.

Maanum again went close for Arsenal early in the second half but fired wide. The Gunners were made to rue that miss when Paris FC grabbed the lead just minutes later through Mathilde Bourdieu. The forward then scored again almost immediately to leave Arsenal’s European hopes on a cliff edge.

The Gunners eventually recovered and they pulled a goal back through Alessia Russo 10 minutes from time. She managed to find the net despite the best efforts of Nnadozie.

Arsenal looked to be heading out but substitute Jen Beattie delivered a trademark header to force extra-time.

In the additional 30 minutes, Louise Fleury fired Paris FC ahead once again before Russo levelled the scores at 3-3 with a rocket from outside of the area.

In the shootout, Maanum and Russo both missed as last season’s semi-finalists were dumped out of the competition at the Round 1 stage. As for Paris FC, their heroic performance will go down in the history books.