Arsenal suffered late Women’s Champions League heartbreak as an 119th-minute strike from Pauline Bremer saw Wolfsburg win at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night and book their spot in the final against Barcelona.
Jule Brand robbed Lotte Wubben-Moy in the final third to set up a tap in for substitute Bremer after the game had been forced into extra time.
A record of 60,063 fans saw Stina Blackstenius chase down a ball forward and put Arsenal ahead before former Gunner Jill Roord levelled things up with a strike from distance.
Returning striker Alexandra Popp headed Wolfsburg ahead as the Germans looked to take control of the tie, but Jennifer Beattie rose to convert Wubben-Moy’s cross and send the game into 30 additional minutes, where Wolfsburg snatched it at the death.
Very brief spells of possession were shared before VAR official Paolo Valeri called referee Lina Lehtovaara to check a handball against Wubben-Moy in the opening five minutes. While the ball struck her hand, the nerves were quashed when Lehtovaara’s arm went up to signal an earlier offside.
The absences of injured Gunners stars Beth Mead, Viv Miedema, Leah Williamson, Kim Little and Caitlin Foord did little to dampen the mood of a sold out Emirates and the raucous atmosphere turned up a few notches when the hosts capitalised on a defensive mix-up to take the lead for the first time across the tie.
A crunching Katie McCabe tackle allowed Lia Walti to play the ball behind Wolfsburg defence for the chasing Blackstenius. Hesitation from Kathrin Hendrich and goalkeeper Merle Frohms allowed the striker to nip in and score the opener, eventually green lit by VAR.
Arsenal’s attacks were roared on each time by the home crowd, though Victoria Pelova couldn’t beat Hendrich when in behind before Lynn Wilms’ fierce strike was batted away by Manuela Zinsberger with Wolfsburg’s first real moment of quality.
The visitors had 58% of possession in that first half but only found a response just before half time, though it was enough to make the Gunners pay for some missed opportunities on the break.
Noelle Maritz hauled down Popp out wide and the Germany international flicked the subsequent free kick to Roord. The former Arsenal midfielder controlled on the edge of the penalty area and beat Zinsberger with a sweet half volley.
The first sight of Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir in full flight saw the Icelandic speedster race away down the left, passing Maritz before cutting inside and shooting straight at Zinsberger.
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