Dec 13,2024
A brace by Alessio Russo helped Arsenal claim a 3-1 win at Valerenga in the Women's Champions League to take a big step towards securing top spot in Group C.
The Gunners were already guaranteed a quarter-final berth after a narrow victory at home to Juventus last month, but knew three points in Norway would keep alive the prospect of beating current leaders Bayern Munich to first position in the group.
First-half goals by Russo and Frida Maanum put Renee Slegers’ side in control before England forward Russo grabbed a second after the break to set up an eagerly anticipated clash at home to Bayern next week.
Arsenal settled early, but despite plenty of possession had failed to produce a single shot on target until Russo broke the deadlock in the 25th minute.
Quick feet by Maanum allowed her to run at the Valerenga defence before she found Russo, and the former Manchester United attacker brilliantly curled into the bottom corner.
It was 2-0 with eight minutes of the first half left when Caitlin Foord cut back for Maanum to score on her return to Oslo, having started her career at Valerenga’s rivals Lyn.
Arsenal were given a moment of concern before half-time when Russo was caught by a late challenge from Saedis Heidarsdottir and required treatment as her team-mates walked off.
However, Russo emerged for the second period and grabbed a superb second after 58 minutes.
Despite their win, Arsenal remain one point behind Bayern Munich in the group after the Germans strolled to a 4-0 defeat over Juventus.
Goals from Jovana Damnjanovic, Pernille Harder, Klara Bühl and Alara Sehitler mean that Arsenal will have to beat Bayern in London next week if they're to top Group C.
In Group D a serious-looking injury to captain Alex Greenwood overshadowed Manchester City's 2-0 Champions League victory over St Polten.
The England defender went down in obvious pain during the first half clutching her left knee and covered her face with her shirt as she was carried off on a stretcher.
City will hope the injury is not as bad as it appeared, but it marred a night which saw a debut to remember from 18-year-old Lily Murphy, who only signed her first professional contract last week.
The teenage City fan was lively throughout and held her arms aloft in delight when she tapped in the opening goal in the 55th minute, with Kerstin Casparij also scoring her first goal for the club.
Sophie Hillebrand shot over with a rare chance for St Polten before the mood in the stadium changed when Greenwood went down following a challenge with Melanie Brunnthaler.
Following lengthy treatment she was replaced by Laia Aleixandri and City briefly struggled to regain their composure, with keeper Ayaka Yamashita nearly caught out as she waited to clear the ball.
The breakthrough came 10 minutes into the second half, Aoba Fujino's cross from the left somehow finding its way across to Murphy, who could not miss.
The teenager was irrepressible and her cross nearly set up a second for Casparij, who headed just past a post.
Murphy then shot just wide before, in the 66th minute, Fujino again crossed from the left and this time Casparij arrived in the centre of the box to tuck home.
As is Group C, the final round of match will decide who tops the group after Barcelona eased to a 3-0 victory over Hammarby.
Two goals from Ewa Pajor and one from Aitana Bonmatí was enough for the Catalan side who trailed City by three points going into the final round when they welcome the English side to the Estadi Olímpico next week.
Barca trail City by three points at the top of the table but a much stronger goal difference means a win would see them finish top.
