SOCCER: Arsenal into Women's Champions League semis after 3-2 aggregate win over Chelsea

LONDON – Reigning champions Arsenal have secured their place in the Women's Champions League semi-finals with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea, despite a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in Wednesday's quarter-final second leg.

Chelsea, knowing they needed a win, started the game at a furious pace. Their manager, Sonia Bompastor, was later sent off for protesting. Arsenal quickly disrupted Chelsea’s rhythm, and the home side failed to register a single shot on target in the first half, as the visitors carefully managed every set piece.

The second half saw Arsenal grow into the game, but the drama came late as Chelsea pressed hard to turn the tie in their favor. Arsenal substitute Stina Blackstenius thought she had scored in the 80th minute from a Smilla Holmberg cross, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside.

Chelsea continued to attack, with defender Veerle Buurman hitting the post and midfielder Sjoeke Nuesken denied by a brilliant save from Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who tipped Nuesken’s header onto the inside of the far post before it bounced to safety.

Arsenal’s Beth Mead also rattled the far post in stoppage time before Nuesken finally found the net, sneaking past defender Lotte Wubben-Moy to score a first-time finish in the 94th minute, creating a tense finale.

As the game reached its climax, Arsenal’s Katie McCabe appeared to pull Alyssa Thompson’s hair during a counter-attack without being penalized. Bompastor’s furious protests earned her a second yellow card, resulting in her dismissal from the dugout.

In an earlier match, Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Manchester United 2-1 on the night, advancing 5-3 on aggregate to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2021. Melvine Malard had given United a brief 3-3 aggregate tie in the 11th minute, but Glodis Viggosdottir’s header in the 81st minute and Linda Dallmann’s goal three minutes later sealed Bayern’s win.

Arsenal will now face either Olympique Lyonnais or VfL Wolfsburg in the semi-finals, while Bayern Munich are set to meet the winner of Barcelona or Real Madrid, with Barca holding a 6-2 aggregate lead and Wolfsburg a narrow 1-0 advantage heading into Thursday's second leg.

-Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters