Arsenal women are Intercontinental champions after defeating Chelsea with an extra time winner. The Gunners came into the game with a chip on their shoulder after a humbling defeat to Chelsea in the league.
Arsenal overcame adversity to retain their title in a very dramatic cup final between the London rivals.
The game itself was open with both sides creating several goal-scoring openings. Chelsea would feel like they created the better chances though and even had two penalty shouts waved off in the first half. They had a goal ruled out for a handball in the build up but it was all half chances from then. Arsenal went close with some long range strikes, the closest an audacious effort from Beth Mead.
Both teams will still have time to squander two clear cut opportunities in the second half before Maanum’s collapse.
The midfielder collapsed on the pitch without being under any real pressure from an opposition player. The Molineux was stunned into silence as she was taken off the pitch in a stretcher.
Arsenal created all the better chances at the restart, coming close twice Russo and then with Blackstenius.
Blackstenius would eventually snatch the win late into the second half of extra time. She kept her cool to slot home through Chelsea’s goal keeper Hampton.
Arsenal’s win hands them their second league cup title in as many years, denying Chelsea a quadruple.
On Frida Maanum’s collapse
Arsenal women are Intercontinental champions. They head off to a two weeks international break pleased to have avenged their 3-1 loss in a meaningful game.
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