Arsenal left it late to seal victory over Juventus and qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.
Substitute Lina Hurtig bundled the ball across the line in the final stages for her first European goal of the season to earn The Gunners a dramatic 1-0 win at Emirates Stadium.
The hosts missed a hatful of chances in the second half as Renee Slegers’ side chased a win which would put them into the last eight alongside group leaders Bayern Munich.
Arsenal were frustrated at the break having struggled to break down Juventus’ stubborn defence. They did get one chance, which fell to Frida Maanum, but she fired over from a tight angle.
The home side were much more fluent in attack after the break and had golden chances through Lia Walti, Caitlin Foord and Leah Williamson, but could not find the net.
With time running out, Slegers made one final roll of the dice and introduced Hurtig, who was involved instantly as she sent a header into the side netting and guided another one over the bar from close range.
But Hurtig continued to cause problems for the visiting defence and her hard work finally came to fruition as she scored the decisive goal.
Talking point – Seeded spot now up for grabs
For so long, it looked like Arsenal would have to wait for their next European match to join Bayern in the quarter-finals, but they eventually got the job done after dominating the second half.
A shrewd change from Renee Slegers, who has excelled since taking over from Jonas Eidevall on an interim basis with six wins and a draw, got the job done in the end.
And after Bayern drew to Valerenga earlier today, Arsenal will fancy their chances of topping the group which could be pivotal, as they would likely avoid big-hitters Barcelona and Lyon in the last eight.
Lina Hurtig scores against Juventus
Image credit: Eurosport
Player of the Match – Kim Little (Arsenal)
Arsenal really struggled in parts to break down Juventus, but Arsenal’s captain kept probing away until the deadlock was eventually broken. She completed the most passes in the game (118) and was the most accurate passer (98%) of all players to feature for more than half of the game.
She also created a big chance which should have put Arsenal ahead before Hurtig diverted her delicate cross over the bar in the late stages. Speaking of Hurtig, the forward also deserves a mention as she made all the difference off the bench and battled fiercely for her goal to put Arsenal ahead.
Match ratings
Arsenal: Van Domselaar 8, Fox 7, Williamson 7, Catley 7, McCabe 6, Walti 8, Little 9, Caldentey 7, Maanum 6, Foord 6, Russo 7
Subs: Mead 6, Kafaji N/A, Hurtig 8, Blackstenius 7
Juventus: Peyraud-Magnin 6, Lenzini 5, Calligaris 6, Cascarino 7, Bergamaschi 6, Schatzer 7, Bennison, Krumbiegel 7, Caruso 7, Cantore 5, Vangsgaard 6
Subs: Girelli N/A, Bonansea 6, Boattin 6, Beccari 6, Thomas N/A
Match highlights
26’ – BIG ARSENAL CHANCE! Maanum steals the ball from Krumbiegel, plays a quick one-two with Russo in the penalty area and then fires over the crossbar from a tight angle. That is Arsenal’s best opportunity by far.
32’ – ARSENAL PENALTY CLAIM! Foord goes down in the box after a nudge in the back from Krumbiegel but referee Ewa Augustyn isn’t interested.
54’ – WHERE ARE ALL THE RED SHIRTS?! Lia Walti plays a sublime through ball in the box to Foord who breaks into the penalty area and squares an inviting ball across the six-yard box just waiting to be tapped in, but there’s no one there! Another big chance to break the deadlock!
58’ – MAANUM GOES NARROWLY WIDE! Caldentey and McCabe combine down the left and the former pulls a low cross back to Maanum, who drills an effort wide of the left post. The Gunners have injected some energy into their attacks over the last five minutes and look much sharper going forward.
63’ – FOORD FORCES A BIG SAVE! Now Peyraud-Magnin is called into action! Arsenal deliver a corner from the right and after a bit of pinball in the six-yard box, Foord unleashes a low drive which Peyraud-Magnin keeps out on the line with her feet.
70’ – WILLIAMSON HEADS OVER! Arsenal have another corner and this time it evades the out-rushing goalkeeper before Leah Williamson guides the ball over the crossbar. She didn’t have an open net to aim at as there were a couple of defenders on the goal-line, but you would expect her to hit the target! The home team have had chances in this match, especially in the second half.
84’ – HURTIG MISSES A GREAT OPPORTUNITY! Little dinks a delicate cross to the substitute, who has an open goal to aim at, but sends her header over the bar! Unbelievable.
89’ – GOAL!!! – ARSENAL 1-0 JUVENTUS (HURTIG): The deadlock is broken late on! Two substitutes combine as Blackstenius crosses for Hurtig in the six-yard box, who scrappily bundles the ball over the line.
90’+3 – BLACKSTENIUS DENIED! She races through one-on-one but the goalkeeper makes the save!
Key stats
- Arsenal have never lost to an Italian club at home.
- Juventus have lost successive group matches for the first time ever.
- Arsenal have lost only two of their last nine UWCL matches (W6 D1).
- There have been 119 goals scored in the UWCL so far this season.
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