Blackstenius nets extra-time winner as Arsenal retain Conti Cup | OneFootball

Stina Blackstenius scored an extra-time winner as Arsenal defeated Chelsea 1-0 to retain the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup.

The two sides could not be separated in 90 minutes of football at Molineux but Blackstenius popped up with a 116th-minute winner for Arsenal as they again came out on top against Chelsea in the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup final.

Chelsea shaded things early on and Lauren James tested Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger with a powerful shot. James then thought that she should have been awarded a penalty when she went down in the box before Mayra Ramírez found the corner of the Arsenal net from 20 yards, only to see her effort chalked off for an Erin Cuthbert handball in the build-up.

Arsenal had their own chances in the first half. Beth Mead couldn’t quite get the accuracy on a long range lob before Cloé Lacasse drove an effort at Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton. The England international was then required to tip Katie McCabe’s effort to safety, that moment being the closest that The Gunners came to opening the scoring before the interval.

The start of the second half was severely disrupted by niggling injuries. One chance did fall the way of Melanie Leupolz but she could only blaze her effort over the bar.

Midway through the half, Arsenal were presented with a big chance when Lacasse drove through on goal but Hampton was there to make a crucial block.

With five minutes of normal time remaining, James found herself clear on goal. She took aim from six yards but Zinsberger stuck out a leg and diverted the ball wide.

There was a worrying moment just before the end of regulation time when Frida Maanum went down. She required emergency medical attention on the pitch before leaving on a stretcher. That was the last incident before the match went into extra-time. The player was reported to be in a stable condition soon after the incident.

Arsenal arguably edged the chances in extra-time. In the first period, Alessia Russo tested Hampton from distance before McCabe headed narrowly wide. The full-back was called offside but VAR may have intervened had McCabe found the back of the net. The second additional period produced little in the way of quality chances until Blackstenius popped up with the winning goal from close range four minutes from time.

The Gunners have now lifted the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup for a record seventh time.