Wolfsburg edge out Arsenal in extra-time thriller to reach Women's Champions League Final
Wolfsburg will meet Barcelona in Eindhoven after Pauline Bremer's goal saw the Germans win 3-2 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate.
Football
Substitute Pauline Bremer scored in with two minutes left in extra time to send Wolfsburg past Arsenal into the Women's Champions League Final on Monday (1 May).
With the first leg in Germany ending in a 2-2, Monday's victor would advance to the final against Barcelona.
Playing in front of a sell-out crowd at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners took the lead in the 11th minute as Stina Blackstenius capitalised on a mix-up in the away defence to sidefoot home.
But the visitors levelled the tie four minutes before the break when Jill Roord chested the ball down and volleyed home from the edge of the area against her former club.
Sweden forward Blackstenius thought she had restored Arsenal's lead at the start of the second half when she converted Noelle Maritz's cross, but it was ruled out by VAR with Maritz just offside as she received the ball on the wing.
Wolfsburg were offering a threat from setpieces with Katie McCabe clearing Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir's header off the line. And the Germans went in front moments later when star striker Alexandra Popp headed home another Felicitas Rauch corner at the near post.
With 15 minutes to go, Jen Beattie headed Arsenal back level on the night to make it 4-4 on aggregate in a pulsating tie.
Seconds later, Arsenal's injury curse struck again as Laura Wienroither went down clutching her left knee and had to be carried off.
The Londoners have already lost Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson to ruptured cruciate knee ligaments this season.
Svenja Huth missed a great opportunity for Wolfsburg late on with Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger beaten, but the tie went to extra time.
Lina Hurtig, on as a substitute for fellow Swede Blackstenius, almost put Arsenal back in front but Merle Frohms stuck out a leg to deny her.
Bremer created a chance for herself with 10 minutes remaining but her shot went the wrong side of the post before McCabe's cross came back off the bar in a tense finale.
But there was late heartbreak for the hosts as Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy - who had created her side's second goal - was caught in possession by Jule Brand who slid the ball across for Bremer to tap into an empty net.
The She-Wolves will appear in their fifth Women's Champions League Final and their first since 2020 when they lost for a third time to Lyon.
They won their first two finals - in 2013 and 2014 - against Lyon and Swedish side Tyreso.
Awaiting them in the final on 3 June in Eindhoven are Barcelona who completed a 2-1 aggregate win over Chelsea on Thursday.
The Catalans won their first title two years ago but were runners-up to Lyon 12 months ago in Turin.