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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sarah Rendell

Wolfsburg 2-2 Arsenal: Women’s Champions League semi-final, first leg – as it happened

Arsenal Wolfsburg (Organization) Kim Little Catley Leah Williamson McCabe Chelsea FC Barcelona
Stina Blackstenius of Arsenal scores the team's second goal.
Stina Blackstenius of Arsenal scores the team's second goal. Photograph: Maja Hitij/UEFA/Getty Images

Thank you for joining me for this thrilling first leg between Arsenal and Wolfsburg! What a comeback from Arsenal who went 2-0 down to level it by full-time. The Gunners will host Wolfsburg on 1 May and we will be covering it live once again! We will also be bringing you the second leg of Barcelona and Chelsea, the Spanish club leading 1-0 after the first leg. The second leg at Camp Nou is on 27 April. Before then, recap the action from this afternoon with Suzy Wrack’s report:

What a game, these Champions League ties are tense!

Pelova had a great game:

In other news in women’s football, Bristol City have secured their promotion into the WSL with a 4-0 win over Charlton Athletic:

Wolfsburg are dealing with their own injuries but Arsenal have had back luck this season. Here is a reminder of Suzy Wrack’s interview with Kim Little about the Gunners’ situation this campaign:

Arsenal will have the home advantage at the Emirates on the second leg but Wolfsburg could welcome Alexandra Popp back into the team. A 2-2 result sets up the perfect second leg!

Arsenal’s Jen Beattie had a tricky start to the game but came into her own and was named Player of the Match, batting multiple chances away from the area in the latter part of the game.

A record crowd inbound!

The referee this afternoon was not falling for anything, especially when Pelova tried to run down the clock with a long walk to be replaced. The official was quick to get her off at the quickest possible point:

Some stats from this tie. Wolfsburg had 55% possession to Arsenal’s 45%, Wolfsburg had 12 attempts with three on target, Arsenal had seven attempts with three on target and Arsenal made 400 passes to Wolfsburg’s 481.

Blackstenius played well all afternoon and so it seemed poetic she was the one who equalised for the visitors. Here is the goal:

Full-time: Wolfsburg 2-2 Arsenal

What a tasty first leg with Arsenal pulling off a remarkable comeback. The hosts raced to a 2-0 advantage but Arsenal snatched a goal back before half-time and Blackstenius equalised. It will be a huge second leg at the Emirates with a record-breaking crowd waiting to watch on.

90 + 5 min: Arsenal do well to close down Wolfsburg again in these closing stages.

90 + 3 min: Arsenal get a free kick from the Oberdorf challenge, Maanum will take it and it has too much on it so Frohms clears.

90 + 3 min: Oberdorf okay to continue here, Oberdorf herself gets a yellow.

90 + 2 min: Oberdorf fouls Walti and McCabe comes in and pushes her to the floor! McCabe gets a yellow, that is a poor decision from the captain. Oberdorf is still down here, maybe trying to get more from this? She is receiving treatment.

90 + 1 min: There will be four minutes added.

90 min: Wilms does well to stop McCabe run, Arsenal are on the hunt again though. McCabe gets in in the box but Wilms heads away. Wolfsburg are countering but Jonsdottir’s pass is cut out by Arsenal’s defence. Arsenal make another change with Kuhl on for Pelova

88 min: A long range pass has way too much on it from Janssen and Arsenal have a goal kick. Huth pops the ball over the top and Wassmuth can’t get to it"! She would have been offside anyway if she got a touch.

86 min: Wolfsburg know how important it will be to have the upper hand heading into the match at the Emirates and are throwing everything at this. Wassmuth passes into the area but Jonsdottir can’t get to it!

84 min: Huth lays it off to Roord who takes a shot. Roord is furious as she believes there was handball but nothing is given. Pajor passes to Roord whose shot is blocked, Wolfsburg are on fire right now.

82 min: Wolfsburg being patient on their build-up and work it to the edge of the box. Wilms crosses in and Roord’s shot is just wide of goal. I had an intake of breath though, it seemed the play slowed down, so close!

80 min: McCabe is okay to continue in this one, a great sign for Arsenal.

79 min: Arsenal are managing the game well at the moment. Just as the ball comes in though it rebounds off a Wolfsburg foot into McCabe’s head. A short break in play as she receives treatment.

78 min: Wolfsburg win it back from the throw in as they seek to get their lead back. The attempt ends with the ball at Zinberger’s feet. McCabe work it to the edge of the box and the cross comes in but Maanum’s header is just over the bar. Jonsdottir is challenged from Wienroither but the referee doesn’t give a free kick, much to the crowd’s dismay.

76 min: Blackstenius wins a free kick in Arsenal’s half and Beattie’s kick is straight out of play. Wubben-Moy wins a throw in and Jonsdottir is furious at the call.

74 min: Wilms gets it into the box but Beattie clears. Wassmuth pops it back in, Wolfsburg are throwing everything at the goal now, Huth takes a long range shot but Zinsberger collects. 22,617 people are watching in the crowd, a record for a Wolfsburg home game.

72 min: If Wolfsburg don’t pull off a win here they will be ruing their missed chances. Arsenal have stuck in this and displayed real determination to come back from being 2-0 down.

70 min: Arsenal make a change with Wienroither coming on for Catley. Wow, what a turnaround from Arsenal. What a moment.

GOAL! Wolfsburg 2-2 Arsenal (Blackstenius, 69')

Some good build-up play from Arsenal, particularly through McCabe. Maanum picks it up and passes to Blackstenius who taps home! Huge goal.

Stina Blackstenius of Arsenal scores.
Stina Blackstenius of Arsenal scores. Photograph: Maja Hitij/UEFA/Getty Images

Updated

68 min: Wilms works the ball well around the box and finds Wassmuth but her pass is won but Arsenal. Walti then wins a free kick to relieve some pressure, the visitors building from deep. Wolfsburg collect the resulting kick though and do well to get a chance. Jonsdottir crosses it in but the chance sails over the bar from Wassmuth.

66 min: The commentators have mad a great point there, Wolfsburg have an entire bench of players who could be starters. But with Arsenal’s wave of injuries, there bench is full over inexperienced players, it will be intriguing as to the changes Eidevall makes. Arsenal are continuing their pressure but Wolfsburg’s defence is holding strong for now.

64 min: Boos ring around the stadium for Zinsberger. Catley takes the kick but Brand heads away, Maritz looks to cross but it is closed down. Wolfsburg make a change with Wassmuth on for Brand.

62 min: The question will come as to if Zinsberger is actually injured or if they are using it to their advantage to have a word with Eidevall ahead of the corner. The whole team came over to the manager. Zinsberger seems okay to continue.

61 min: Blackstenius passes and the cross comes in but Jonsdottir blocks really well to see off the danger. Maritz wins a corner from a throw in, could this be where they equalise? There is a break in play with Zinsberger down.

60 min: Brand gets it in the box again and lays it off to Rauch but Arsenal again read it to close it down. Oberdorf receives a pass in a dangerous position and can’t control, Arsenal counter well through McCabe and she lays it off to Blackstenius but it has too much on it.

58 min: Blackstenius makes a great run but no one is in the box and so she tries to keep it but Rauch wins it back. She puts in a long pass to Pajor but it has too much on it and goes out. Maanum gets in on the edge of the box but she gives away free kick with a foul on Hendrich, Wolfsburg play it out.

57 min: Brand makes a good run into the box but her pass, seeking Roord, is cut out by Arsenal. She took a touch too much on that, she could have had a shot herself.

55 min: Possession is exchanging hands a lot here now, Maritz gives it away with a foul on halfway. A scrappy start to the second half.

53 min: Arsenal play it out from the back again, a risky decision considering that is how Wolfsburg scored their second goal. The hosts now have it and are being patient in their build-up, it comes to Huth who sends it in but it’s headed away. Brand fouls McCabe and she wins it back.

51 min: Rafaelle closes down a chance as Wolfsburg run it through the team. The DAZN stream broke up there so I don’t know why but Arsenal have a free kick in their own half. They play it out from deep.

49 min: Blackstenius does well to win a throw in under pressure. She then wins a corner, the set piece key to Arsenal’s play so far. Catley takes the kick but it is headed away by Oberdorf. Maanum plays it back in but Beattie can’t quite get to it.

47 min: A sublime long ball comes to Rauch in the box and she tries to find Brand but Arsenal deal with it for now. McCabe loses it on the edge of the box but Brand can’t get it in the back of the net. Nervy scenes for the visitors.

Back underway! Wolfsburg 2-1 Arsenal

It is all to play for here, Wolfsburg will want to capitalise on the home crowd and put a few more past Arsenal. But the momentum has shifted with Arsenal’s goal before half-time.

It would be a huge result if Arsenal can level or even win this leg after going 2-0 down, they looked out of this with Wolfsburg in control. But the Rafaelle header has them back in and it sets up an exciting second 45.

The other two goals in this thrilling tie so far:

Here is the best of the goals so far, Pajor’s beautiful strike! I’ll bring you the other goals when I track down the videos:

Half-time: Wolfsburg 2-1 Arsenal

Jonsdottir has a chance at the end of the half but it’s just over the bar. What a half we have been treated to! It was a glorious opener from Pajor and a defensive blunder to give Jonsdottir her goal. But Rafaelle has got Arsenal right back in this with a critical header.

GOAL! Wolfsburg 2-1 Arsenal (Rafaelle, 45')

Rafaelle heads home from the corner kick to get Arsenal back in this! Huge moment.

Rafaelle Souza of Arsenal scores the team's first goal.
Rafaelle Souza of Arsenal scores the team's first goal. Photograph: David Price/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

Updated

44 min: Arsenal work it into the box again with Maanum getting a good shot away, Frohms does well to save and sees it out for a corner.

44 min: Arsenal get in a good position again but Catley’s pass to Blackstenius has too much on it, it is the last pass that is letting Arsenal down at the moment. There is a lot of promise but just the final play needs to pay off.

42 min: Arsenal get it to the box and the ball comes in but it has too much on it for Maanum and Frohms collects. Wolfsburg run it through the team and Oberdorf attempts to cross in but Beattie closes down the chance. McCabe wins a free kick and Arsenal can clear the pressure.

40 min: Pajor does well to dispossess Walti but they can’t control it to create a chance. Arsenal win a free kick in their own half and they have to build from deep once again.

38 min: Rafaelle pops the ball to Blackstenius but she is dispossessed, The arsenal player appealed for a free kick but it wasn’t given. Possession exchanges hands but eventually it is controlled by Arsenal who look to pounce. Blackstenius is pulled back though and it is in Wolfsburg’s hands.

36 min: Arsenal have a free kick in their own half, Beattie takes it but they are building from deep. It would be good for Arsenal if they could score before half-time, at the moment it doesn’t seem possible with Wolfsburg in control. The hosts win back the ball and they are being patient in their build-up. Huth crosses in but Zinsberger calmly collects.

34 min: Pelova wanted a foul there in the midfield but it isn’t given and Wolfsburg are on the attack. Martiz does well to smother the chance. Jonsdottir wins it back and gets into the box but Walti does enough to close it down without gifting a penalty.

32 min: Catley takes the corner, Frohms gets a punch on it. It ends at Beattie’s feet but her resulting shot it blocked! Arsenal’s best chance of the game so far.

30 min: Arsenal need to be the next the score and Roord gifts Arsenal a free kick with a shirt tug on McCabe. She gets a yellow card for her efforts. Maanum and Catley are over the set piece, it’s Maanum who takes the kick but it is over the top from Oberdorf for a corner.

28 min: Wolfsburg are all over Arsenal now, the visitors need to calm themselves and compose their play. If they don’t Wolfsburg will run away with this. Huth crosses it in and Jonsdottir has a header but it is just over the bar, close to a third there!

26 min: Zinsberger passes to Rafaelle, she passes to Beattie who wasn’t expecting the ball and Jonsdottir pounces and scores. I warned them about that risky pass!

GOAL! Wolfsburg 2-0 Arsenal (Jonsdottir, 25')

What were Arsenal doing?! Poor defensive play from the back.

Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir of Wolfsburg (2-L) celebrates after scoring.
Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir of Wolfsburg (2-L) celebrates after scoring. Photograph: Filip Singer/EPA

Updated

23 min: Hendrich is okay to continue, she did not need treatment. The goal has lit a fire in Wolfsburg with the team immediately on the attack, beautiful long balls being played across the pitch.

21 min: Arsenal have started brighter but as I mentioned earlier, Wolfsburg just needed one moment and it came with Pajor. It was a lovely controlled finish, Zinsberger unable to do anything to stop it. The crowd are jumping now, Arsenal will have to score next to silence them. Hendrich is down with an injury so there is a break in play.

GOAL! Wolfsburg 1-0 Arsenal (Pajor, 19')

A long ball comes in, Jonsdottir passes to Pajor and she finishes beautifully!

Wolfsburg's Ewa Pajor, right, scores her side's opening goal.
Wolfsburg's Ewa Pajor, right, scores her side's opening goal. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP
Pajor, left, celebrates with team-mates.
Pajor, left, celebrates with team-mates. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

Updated

18 min: Maanum does well to dispossess Roord to get Arsenal upfield but the chance is close down. Roord makes up for the error and passes to Jonsdottir, she crosses in but it doesn’t reach a teammate.

16 min: Wubben-Moy’s ball back to Zinsberger is risky again, Jonsdottir almost pounces again! One to keep an eye on. Jonsdottir gives away a free kick after a foul on Pelova in Arsenal’s half, the visitors clear.

14 min: Rafaelle makes a good break, her pass goes to McCabe but her resulting cross finds Frohms instead of Blackstenius. Arsenal’s attack is strong but Wolfsburg look calm in defence. The visitors look to attack again but Blackstenius is ruled offside.

12 min: Roord is fouled by Maanum and Wolfsburg have a free kick, they take it back to the halfway line as they build from deep. They eventually get it in a good position by Rafaelle does well to win it and clear the danger.

10 min: Rafaelle does well to avoid Wilms’ challenge to keep Arsenal’s attack alive. In the end Wolfsburg snatch it in the midfield but their chance is smothered. It’s back and forth so far, no real chance as of yet.

8 min: Walti is back to her feet and is jogging around, she is okay to continue. A huge relief for the visitors, it would have been extremely bad luck if they lost her after losing so many stars already this season.

7 min: Arsenal’s attack ends at Frohms’ feet and Wolfsburg weather the pressure for now. It’s the host’s turn to be patient on the ball as they thread some passes together in their own half. There is a break in play as Arsenal’s Walti is down, the referee had to stop play so she could receive treatment, not what Arsenal supporters want to see.

6 min: Jonsdottir was fed a great ball, it was a well judged run but the ball went just beyond her and into the arms of Zinsberger. Arsenal have had the majority of possession but Wolfsburg just need one moment and they look dangerous. Arsenal are on the attack again, they look the brighter side so far.

4 min: Possession has exchanged hands but Arsenal have it. Beattie passes back to Zinsberger, a slightly risky pass with Wolfsburg almost pouncing.

2 min: A slow start with Arsenal playing out the back, they get the ball upfield but Wolfsburg smother the chance quickly. Oberdorf pops the ball to Jonsdottir but Arsenal’s defence closes it down.

Kick-off! Wolfsburg 0-0 Arsenal

Here we go! A huge battle we have on our hands over the next 90 minutes. McCabe the Arsenal captain today with Kim Little and Leah Williamson injured.

We are minutes away from kick-off, the crowd are jumping and the players are out and ready for this one.

The players will be out shortly but Arsenal captain Kim Little has already been to see the travelling fans. Little will not play this afternoon due to injury.

Our weekly women’s football newsletter has taken a look at the four clubs who have reached the semi-finals and decided who the combined XI would be, have a read of the piece to find out who made the cut:

In the build-up to the semi-final, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall has spoken openly about his frustration with scheduling. They had a crucial WSL match against Manchester United midweek, which they lost 1-0, but Chelsea did not have a game ahead of their first leg with Barcelona. Have a read of his comments here:

A great feature on Chelsea’s match yesterday by Sophie Downey, some good analysis about the Blues’ chances in the second leg:

Chelsea’s match yesterday set a Women’s Champions League attendance record with 27, 697 fans at Stamford Bridge. The Emirates is set to break that next week!

Chelsea hosted Barcelona yesterday and despite losing 1-0 it has left some hope of them reaching the final. Guro Reiten almost scored for the Blues but the offside flag ruled it out, the question comes if Chelsea can defeat Barcelona at Camp Nou. It will be a tough match! Have a read of the report from Stamford Bridge:

Are you all enjoying Sunday roasts today? I am not, I’ve gone rogue and had a jacket potato with tuna. Let me know what you’ve had via Twitter and email.

It’s not only Arsenal facing injury worries as Wolfsburg will be without Alexandra Popp for today’s match. Head coach Tommy Stroot said they don’t want to risk the star and added she may be available for the second leg.

Alexandra Popp

Kim Little has said the injuries facing Arsenal has lit a fire in the side. Little herself has been ruled out for the rest of the season and said: “There’s a lot of elements that are not football-based that can just give you a bit of perspective. That’s maybe been a part of [why] we always give our best, but maybe it’s put a little bit more fire in the side, I think that’s natural when things like that happen.” Read the full piece:

Leah Williamson has not only been ruled out of the rest of the season for Arsenal with an ACL injury but she will also miss the World Cup for England. It is a huge blow for the Lionesses and Suzy Wrack has written about the news:

The team news is here! Wolfsburg have made five changes to their starting line-up from their 3-0 win over Druisburg. Frohms, Wilms, Oberdorf, Huth and Jonsdottir all come into the team.

Wolfsburg: Frohms, Wilms, Hendrich, Oberdorf, Janssen, Pajor, Huth, Rauch, Roord, Jonsdottir, Brand

Arsenal, meanwhile, have made three changes to their starting 11 from their 1-0 loss to Manchester United. Beattie, Catley and McCabe are in.

Arsenal: Zinsberger, Wubben-Moy, Beattie, Rafaelle, Maritz, Walti, Maanum, Catley, Pelova, McCabe, Blackstenius

Preamble

Hello and welcome to the Women’s Champions League semi-final first leg between Arsenal and Wolfsburg! Arsenal have had an impressive run in the competition so far, namely their 5-1 win against Lyon, but they face a tough task today with multiple injuries hitting the squad.

Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema have not been in the team for a while with ACL injuries but they are now joined on the sidelines by some leadership figures. Captain Kim Little and vice captain Leah Williamson are out for the rest of the season and it will be a monumental task for them to win more silverware without four of their stars. But if anyone is going to do it, Arsenal can.

They face a strong Wolfsburg side and they have the home advantage in the first leg. The side will want to use that as much as possible with over 30,000 tickets sold for the Emirates.

The team news will be in shortly and I will bring it to you as soon as possible. Stay tuned ahead of kick-off at 2.30pm BST.

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