Arsenal Women throw away two-goal lead in dramatic Champions League draw

Arsenal lost a two-goal lead to play out a 2-2 draw at Paris FC in their UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase fixture on Wednesday.

The north London side beat HB Koge in their first game before losing to Chelsea in the Women’s Super League last weekend.

Arsenal dominated possession from the outset, but Paris looked more likely to open the scoring.

The French side came close to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute, when Misa Rodriguez produced a brilliant save to keep out Aurelie Reynders’ effort.

Arsenal eventually threatened after the half-hour mark, with Alessia Russo heading Lisa Baum’s corner narrowly wide.

Russo put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute, curling a lovely finish past the goalkeeper, registering her first goal of the season.

Paris came close to an equaliser before the break. Clara Mateo played Evelyne Viens through, but the striker smashed her shot against the crossbar.

Five minutes into the second half, Georgia Stanway doubled the Gunners’ lead, firing into the roof of the net for her first goal of the campaign.

Clara Mateo pulled one back for Paris following a swift counter-attack, rounding Rodriguez before finding the net.

Substitute Olivia Smith missed the chance to restore Arsenal’s two-goal cushion, directing a header over the crossbar.

Three minutes from time, Paris were awarded a penalty after Leah Williamson committed a handball. Maeline Mendy stepped up to convert, drilling her spot-kick into the bottom corner.

Renee Slegers’ side host Benfica next month, before back-to-back meetings with Barcelona and Lyon, last year’s finalists, in November.

The post Arsenal Women throw away two-goal lead in dramatic Champions League draw first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.