Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Juventus to confirm their place in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals, while simultaneously ending the Italian side’s hopes of progression. The result also ensured all three English teams—Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City—advanced to the knockout stages of this year’s competition.
Unlike their dominant 4-0 win against Juventus just a week earlier, this encounter at the Emirates Stadium was anything but straightforward for the Gunners. What had been a commanding performance in Turin gave way to a labored and disjointed effort in the reverse fixture, with Arsenal struggling to impose themselves in attack for much of the game.
Juventus, needing a win to keep their knockout hopes alive, defended resolutely and occasionally threatened on the counter. Former Arsenal goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin delivered a standout performance, producing a stunning point-blank save to deny Caitlin Foord in the first half. Arsenal’s attack looked devoid of ideas for long stretches, forcing head coach Jonas Eidevall to introduce Stina Blackstenius, Beth Mead, and Lina Hurtig in search of a breakthrough.
Hurtig, facing her former club, nearly made an immediate impact but wasted two headed chances, directing both wide of the target. Juventus looked poised to hold Arsenal to a frustrating draw until the 89th minute, when Blackstenius whipped in a cross that slipped past Martina Lenzini. The ball fell perfectly to Hurtig, who calmly tapped home the winner from close range.
Though scrappy, the late goal was enough to secure Arsenal’s place in the final eight with two group matches to spare. The Gunners will progress from Group C alongside Bayern Munich, maintaining their hopes of a deep run in the competition. For Juventus, the narrow loss ended their Champions League journey, marking another frustrating exit for the Italian champions.
