Arsenal suffered a shock exit in the qualifying stages of the Women’s Champions League as they were beaten on penalties by French side Paris FC.
The Gunners, who reached the semi-finals of the competition last season, came from 2-0 and 3-2 behind to force a shootout after extra time.
However, Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved from Arsenal’s England striker Alessia Russo and Frida Maanum as the underdogs won 4-2 on spot-kicks.
Mathilde Bourdieu scored twice in two minutes early in the second half to put Paris firmly in control but Russo’s first Arsenal goal pulled one back before Jen Beattie’s header levelled matters deep into stoppage time.
Paris led again in the second half of extra time through Louise Fleury’s fine first-time finish, only for summer signing Russo’s fabulous 25-yarder to bring Arsenal level again.
However, Nnadozie – who did not save a single spot-kick in Nigeria’s World Cup shootout defeat by England in the summer – was Paris’ hero as they progressed on penalties.
Line-ups
Arsenal Women
- 1Zinsberger
- 3Wubben-Moy
- 10Little
- 28IlestedtSubstituted forBeattieat 90+3′minutes
- 16MaritzSubstituted forMcCabeat 60′minutesBooked at 78mins
- 19FoordSubstituted forHurtigat 59′minutesBooked at 99mins
- 24Lacasse
- 13WältiSubstituted forPelovaat 59′minutes
- 7CatleyBooked at 87minsSubstituted forKühlat 109′minutes
- 25BlacksteniusSubstituted forRussoat 60′minutes
- 12Maanum
Substitutes
- 5Beattie
- 9Mead
- 14D’Angelo
- 15McCabe
- 17Hurtig
- 20Queiroz Costa
- 21Pelova
- 22Kühl
- 23Russo
- 40Williams
- 53Lia
Paris FC Féminines
- 16Nnadozie
- 23SissokoSubstituted forHocineat 93′minutes
- 27Soyer
- 3BogaertBooked at 81minsSubstituted forAbdullinaat 81′minutes
- 4KorosecSubstituted forCorbozat 63′minutes
- 11DufourSubstituted forRibadeiraat 76′minutes
- 17Thiney
- 19GrebovalBooked at 43mins
- 15Le MouëlSubstituted forN’Dongalaat 105′minutes
- 10Matéo
- 9BourdieuBooked at 60minsSubstituted forFleuryat 76′minutesBooked at 78mins
Substitutes
- 1Marques
- 2Hocine
- 5Hunter
- 7Fleury
- 8Corboz
- 18N’Dongala
- 20Ribadeira
- 21Abdullina
- 31Sidibé
- 40Pouplet
- Referee:
- Kristina Georgieva
