Arsenal draw with Wolfsburg after a late goal. Wassmuth’s goal gave an early advantage to Wolfsburg, Arsenal struggled to find a way to the net. But Lotte Wubben-Moy’s goal in 89th minute gave the Gunners a good starting point for the return leg next week.
Women’s Champions League, Quarter-final, Leg 1
Wednesday, 23rd of March
Arsenal – Vfl Wolfsburg 1-1 (0-1)
Scorers: 19′ Tabea Wassmuth (W), 89′ Lotte Wubben-Moy (A)
Yellow cards: 43′ Felicitas Rauch (W), 57′ Alexandra Popp (W), 68′ Beth Mead (A), 76′ Stephanie Catley (A), 90+2′ Joelle Wedemeyer (W)
Arsenal came out on the top in the first minutes of the game, but it was Wolfsburg who broke the deadlock. Manuela Zinsberger managed to save the first shot, but Tabea Wassmuth headed a follow-up cross in for Wolsfburg’s lead. Just a few minutes later, the guests almost doubled the lead when Svenja Huth sent in a dangerous cross, but Alex Popp put it over the goal. Despite more ball possession, Arsenal failed to create any real chances in the first half.
⏸ Ganz heißer Tanz in London bisher. Die zweite Halbzeit wird nichts für schwache Nerven…#ARSWOB #VfLWolfsburg pic.twitter.com/B1DjCPxJ2m
— VfL Wolfsburg Frauen (@VfL_Frauen) March 23, 2022
But the Gunners started the second half stronger and with their best chance until that moment. Stina Blackstenius received the cross from Vivianne Miedema from the right-hand side, but the Swedish international hit the ball poorly and completely missed the target. She did better two minutes later when she managed to round the Wolfsburg goalkeeper and found the net, but the flag went up, signalizing that Blackstenius was in offside when receiving the pass. Despite better performance from the Gunners, Wolfsburg came very close to the second goal in the 60th minute. First, Wassmuth came into a 1-on-1 situation with Zinsberger, but the top scorer of the Women’s Champions League sent the ball to the post. Just a few seconds later, Lattwein sent a low cross in the area, when the Austrian goalkeeper managed to deflect Jill Roord’s shot into the post again. The pace slowed down a bit until the 89th minute. Tobin Heath shot low from the free-kick at the edge of the penalty box, her teammate, Lotte Wubben-Moy “intercepted” her shot, stopped the ball and sent it high into the net for the late equalizier.
Everything even at Emirates stadium before the return leg. Even though, Arsenal had more ball possession, Wolfsburg had more chances and could score more than once. But 1-1 seems a fair outcome, which leaves everything open for next Wednesday.