Arsenal edge out Manchester City in extra-time to reach Conti Cup final | OneFootball

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·8 February 2023

Arsenal edge out Manchester City in extra-time to reach Conti Cup final

Arsenal have qualified for the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup final with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Manchester City at the LV Bet Stadium this evening.

Following a goalless draw in normal time, Stina Blackstenius hit the winning goal in the first period of extra-time as The Gunners edged a step closer to ending their trophy drought.

It was very much a clash of the titans in Boreham Wood as five-time FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup winners Arsenal faced-off against the four-time winners and current trophy holders, Manchester City.


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It was a cagey opening period with neither side seemingly willing to take a risk to force an opportunity. The best chance of a goalless opening 45 minutes fell the way of Arsenal’s Laura Wienroither. The Austrian international was played through early in the game but her powerful shot was saved by the legs of Manchester City keeper Sandy MacIver.

After a flurry of changes in the second period, the home side looked much the more likely team to score and their best chance came from one of those substitutes. A deep cross from the left found Caitlin Foord at the back post who delicately nodded the ball into the path of substitute Lina Hurtig. The Swedish international had only been on the pitch a matter of moments before the opportunity came her way. Yet, from just a couple of yards out, she somehow contrived to direct her shot onto the crossbar to keep the score at 0-0.

Hurtig then spurned another guilt-edged chance when a cross from the right found her unmarked in the Manchester City area and all she needed to do was direct the ball on target. The forward couldn’t make a clean enough contact on the ball and she steered her effort harmlessly wide of goal.

Arsenal continued to push for a crucial opening goal and they nearly got it when MacIver came to claim a cross but spilled the ball right in front of Blackstenius. The striker desperately tried to create an opening but the visiting defence swarmed on her and eventually scrambled the ball away.

Neither side were able to get onto the scoresheet in the 90 minutes which meant that the game went into extra-time and it wasn’t long before Arsenal finally put themselves ahead.

Hurtig was played through in the Manchester City box and perhaps haunted by her misses earlier, rather than shooting herself, she opted to cut the ball back for Blackstenius who side-footed her effort beyond MacIver and into the back of the net.

With Arsenal ahead and the match edging ever closer to its conclusion, Manchester City needed to find a goal from somewhere to force a penalty shootout. However, the visiting side struggled to conjure up any clear chances and The Gunners were able to see the game out.

Arsenal will now face either West Ham United or Chelsea in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup final at Selhurst Park on Sunday 5 March 2023.

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