Zurich Women 1 – 9 Arsenal Women
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Arsenal defeated their Champions League group 9-1 on Wednesday while Frida Maanum – who scored a hat-trick – starred Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord for the Gunners.
The pressure was on Jonas Eidevall’s side, who went into the final game of Group C and needed a win to secure first place, while Lyon and Juventus struggled for second place in the quarter-finals.
But Arsenal secured top spot in one of their performances so far of the season with the first 32 minutes. Maanum (18) started the tide with a sliding free-kick – the Gunners’ 150th goal under Eidevall – before Foord (23) scored their first of two goals five minutes later.
Maanum (32′) and Blackstenius (45+1) both scored before half-time as Arsenal took a 4-0 lead in the first half.
But those who expected a quieter second half were very wrong, because Maanum (51′) and Blackstenius (54′) each scored again 10 minutes after the break. The forwards produced sensational performances in quick succession, with 23-year-old Maanum completing her hat-trick as her breakout season continues.
Perhaps the one marker on Arsenal’s map missed a goal. Zurich captain Fabienne Humm scored a fine penalty in the 64th minute after Leah Williamson was penalized for a tackle on Seraina Piubel.
However, it wasn’t long before Arsenal restored their six-goal lead. Foord (68′) was a goal gift when she conceded Oliwia Wos’ poor back pass just minutes after the Zurich defender was substituted on.
Wos saw her evening getting worse and worse as she was penalized for handball soon after. Arsenal captain Kim Little (71) strengthened after returning from injury and skillfully sent past goalkeeper Lourdes Romero.
Arsenal team news
Arsenal have made two changes since last Thursday’s 1-0 defeat by Lyon. Vivianne Miedema was placed on the stretcher with a cruciate ligament injury and will be out for the rest of the season, while Laura Wienroither had to sit on the bench. Rafaelle Souza and Noelle Maritz returned to the XI.
But despite the 8-1 lead, there was still more to be expected from the Gunners. In a beautiful game between Lina Hurtig and Foord, Australia’s Mana Iwabuchi (83′) set up, who fired home from the angle to complete Arsenal’s defeat.
It wasn’t the farewell Zurich manager Inka Grings was expecting as she prepares to take over as Switzerland coach in the new year. However, it was all over for Arsenal in the Champions League when they bid farewell in style in 2022.
Elsewhere in Group C, defending champions Lyon joined Arsenal in the last eight after a goalless draw with Juventus from ex-Gunners manager Joe Montemurro.
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