Arsenal grab late winner but Man City fall to Barcelona in Women’s Champions League
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The Gunners dramatically downed Bayern Munich to finish top of their group, while City’s 3-0 loss means they settle for second spot behind Barca. Mariona Caldentey ensured Arsenal will enter the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals as Group C winners after dramatically firing in a late penalty in their 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich.
![[Mariona Caldentey held her nerve from the penalty spot]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/18/22/SEI233695154.jpg)
The Gunners took a seventh-minute lead under a downpour at Meadow Park through Glodis Perla Viggosdottir’s own goal but Magdalena Eriksson drew the sides square before the break. The former Chelsea captain netted another in the second half, yet the in-form Alessia Russo drew the sides back level a minute later.
Bayern would have gone through as group winners with a draw but Arsenal had the chance to leapfrog their opponents when Tuva Hansen handled an effort from Caldentey with four minutes remaining. The Spain international, who missed a penalty against Liverpool, stepped up herself and made no mistake, sending Ena Mahmutovic the wrong way to extend Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 11 matches across all competitions.
However, Manchester City surrendered top spot in their Champions League group as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Barcelona in their final round-robin match. Missing a host of key players through injury, the Women’s Super League side were outplayed by the holders at the Luis Companys Olympic Stadium, losing to goals from Claudia Pina, Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas.
