Arsenal reach UWCL semi-finals

Reigning champions Arsenal Women advanced to the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) semi-finals with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea Women, despite a 1-0 loss in the second leg here at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Trailing on aggregate, Chelsea began with intensity but struggled to break down a composed Arsenal side, who controlled the tempo effectively and limited the hosts to no shots on target in the first half.

The match burst into life late on. Arsenal thought they had sealed the tie when Stina Blackstenius headed in from Smilla Holmberg’s cross, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for offside.

Chelsea responded with urgency, hitting the post through Veerle Buurman, while Daphne van Domselaar produced a superb save to deny Sjoeke Nusken.

Arsenal nearly struck again in stoppage time through Beth Mead, but her effort hit the post. Nüsken eventually scored in the 94th minute to give Chelsea hope, but it proved too late.

Tempers flared late on, with Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor sent off after protesting a controversial incident.

It is pertinent to mention that Bayern Munich Women reached the semi-finals with a 5-3 aggregate win over Manchester United Women, scoring twice late to secure a 2-1 victory on the night.

Arsenal will face either Olympique Lyonnais Feminin or VfL Wolfsburg Women, while Bayern meet one of Barcelona Femení or Real Madrid Femenino in the last four.