When two teams are so evenly matched, the old cliché dictates that an individual piece of genius or a horrendous mistake will ultimately decide the outcome.
For Arsenal and Wolfsburg — with the score level at 4-4 on aggregate after nearly 190 minutes of action across the two legs — it was the unfortunate error that ultimately decided the tie.
This UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal looked destined for penalties at the Emirates on Monday night, especially after Arsenal's Katie McCabe watched an effort crash back off the crossbar in the 116th-minute, but with just one minute to play before the shootout an Arsenal attempt at building from the back went horribly wrong.
A semi of this quality didn't deserve to be decided on penalties, but the final action was just as cruel for Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy — she got caught in possession by June Brand out wide and the 20-year-old German provided Pauline Bremer with the easiest of finishes for a 5-4 aggregate Wolfsburg victory at the death.
PAULINE BREMER SILENCES THE EMIRATES IN EXTRA-TIME. pic.twitter.com/LJzteyTBPd
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 1, 2023
It had all started so well for the home side as the Gunners picked up right where they left off in the first leg — coming back from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw at Volkswagen Arena — with Stina Blackstenius giving Arsenal the 3-2 aggregate advantage in the 11th-minute.
IT ONLY TOOK STINA BLACKSTENIUS 11 MINUTES.
Arsenal waste no time taking the lead over Wolfsburg. pic.twitter.com/7nXThbS2KV— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 1, 2023
However, shortly before halftime, Dutch international Jill Roord equalized for Die Wölfinnen.
JILL ROORD RETURNS TO HAUNT HER FORMER CLUB.
Wolfsburg are right back in it. pic.twitter.com/cYep7Ql3Sj— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 1, 2023
Wolfsburg then took a 4-3 lead in the 58th minute through German international Alexandra Popp.
IT HAD TO BE ALEXANDRA POPP.
Wolfsburg strike first in the second half to take a 4-3 lead on aggregate. pic.twitter.com/CtbLqk3UCJ— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 1, 2023
But the Gunners made it 4-4 in the 75th.
JEN BEATTIE COMES THROUGH FOR ARSENAL.
All things level. This game. pic.twitter.com/4KaN241rWJ— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 1, 2023
the truck stick celly tho pic.twitter.com/999zyWK3Ns
— ugh (@838_carlisle) May 1, 2023
That set the stage for extra time and Wubben-Moy's error.
Arsenal came so close...
KATIE MCCABE NEARLY WITH THE WINNER FOR ARSENAL
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) May 1, 2023
"Tough result to concede a goal like that in the end, but I feel so proud of how we as a team have been doing in the #UWCL."
Stina Blackstenius reflects on Arsenal's #UWCL semifinal loss against Wolfsburg. pic.twitter.com/qkgCnRrTFg— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 1, 2023
Wolfsburg now plays Barcelona in the final on Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m. ET. The Philips Stadion in Eindhoven plays host.
