Sonia Bompastor’s team started strongly, trying to turn the game around. A perfect pass from Erin Cuthbert to Ellie Carpenter on the flank allowed the right back to cross for Sjoeke Nusken, but her shot went just wide at seven minutes.

Alyssa Thompson also came close to scoring on two occasions later in the first half, sending a shot wide after a rebound at the edge of the area and then firing a powerful strike over the crossbar after cutting in from the left.

After the break, Sam Kerr forced Daphne van Domselaar into the first of many stretched saves after Nusken opened up Arsenal’s defense with a pass that cut through the center of the pitch.

With about 10 minutes remaining, Arsenal thought it had sealed the tie definitively when Stina Blackstenius headed in, but her goal was disallowed after a VAR review for offside.

Chelsea immediately launched a counterattack and came close to scoring when Nusken headed just inches from goal, before Lauren James saw Van Domselaar deflect her shot, and Veerle Buurman somehow failed to convert the rebound from close range.

Van Domselaar then added another incredible save to her repertoire with a fingertip stop to push a powerful header from Nusken onto the post. Still, Nusken finally broke Arsenal’s resistance with 90 seconds remaining with a low shot after a backheel pass from Kerr. However, that proved to be too little too late, as Bompastor was shown a red card in the final seconds for protesting, and the Blues were eliminated.

Standout Performances:

Ellie Carpenter attacked down the right flank whenever possible to create numerical superiority. Most of Chelsea’s best offensive plays involved the Australian.

Lucy Bronze started as a center back and looked ready for the big occasion, winning many balls quickly and building play with composure.

Alyssa Thompson played excellently throughout the 180 minutes of this tie, especially in the first half of this second leg, taking advantage of the opportunity to cut into Arsenal’s defense time and again. However, she failed to score from the chances that were created.

Sjoeke Nusken was everywhere. She was the creator of Chelsea’s clearest chances and was unlucky not to get any assists, though she at least managed to score at the very end.

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