Arsenal suffer heartbreaking extra-time defeat to VfL Wolfsburg in the UWCL semi-finals | OneFootball

Arsenal are out of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League after suffering a 3-2 extra-time defeat to VfL Wolfsburg in the second leg of their semi-final tie at the Emirates Stadium this evening.

The two sides went into the second leg tied at 2-2. That scoreline was replicated after 90 minutes in North London this evening but VfL Wolfsburg netted the winning goal in the second half of extra-time.

Arsenal pressed immediately from the first whistle with Stina Blackstenius positioning herself high up the field, causing visiting keeper Merle Frohms to make plenty of quick decisions with the ball at her feet.

There was an anxious early penalty check for the visitors who claimed a hand ball in the box, but after an agonising wait, it was concluded that there was an offside in the build-up.

It wasn’t long before Blackstenius was receiving the ball again and this time, it was a moment that sent the Emirates into a frenzy. Despite being surrounded by a sea of green defenders, the Scandinavian worked the ball incredibly well towards goal and calmly slotted home to give Arsenal an early lead.

Blackstenius then almost got her brace. An Arsenal corner was cleared beyond the box, but the ball found its way back into the area and to the feet of the forward, however, her effort was comfortable for Frohms.

Every time Arsenal progressed up the pitch, it was with intent and they were able to find pockets and break down the visitors’ defence extremely well, but the first half action didn’t stop there and VfL Wolfsburg found their way back into the game. Former Arsenal star Jill Roord found the back of the net just after the 40-minute mark.

The hosts thought that they had regained the lead in the second half through Blackstenius, but VAR ruled out her effort for offside, dampening the spirits of an Emirates crowd that had been going wild.

VfL Wolfsburg deployed a much higher line; allowing their attacking players to progress quicker into the final third and create more chances, but Arsenal were able to deal with the pressure relatively well.

The She-Wolves did eventually find their second goal. Alexandra Popp, who was unavailable for the first leg of this tie, headed home from a corner to give her side the lead.

Arsenal pushed on and created a few opportunities and in the 75th minute, they got an equaliser. A set-piece from Steph Catley found Lotte Wubben-Moy on the right-hand side. She fizzed the ball into the area and Jen Beattie leapt up and with a powerful header, she found the back of the net.

With the scores tied at 2-2, the game entered extra-time. The nerves kicked in for both sides, but it was Arsenal who came the closest to scoring when Frida Maanum played in a perfect cross to Lina Hurtig. She struck the ball, but her effort headed straight to the hands of VfL Wolfsburg keeper Frohms. Maanum then hit a shot from distance but she couldn’t keep the ball close to the ground and it went out for a goal kick.

At the other end, Pauline Bremer’s shot flew wide of the post as a gasp echoed around the stadium. Katie McCabe then hit the bar for the hosts, and just when penalties seemed like the outcome, a mistake from Arsenal at the back allowed Bremer to tap home the winner.

VfL Wolfsburg will take on FC Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final on Saturday 3 June.