Arsenal took a significant step towards the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals with a 3 1 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Emirates Stadium. However, the result was overshadowed by anger and disbelief among the visitors following a controversial VAR decision that denied them a goal shortly before half-time.
Chelsea began the contest on the front foot. She twice struck the same post inside the opening ten minutes through Alyssa Thompson and Lauren James, with Arsenal initially struggling to cope with the visitors’ pace and directness. Despite that early pressure, the hosts struck first when Katie McCabe delivered from the left and Stina Blackstenius headed past Hannah Hampton. Arsenal doubled their advantage soon after, Chloe Kelly finding space on the edge of the area before unleashing a powerful long-range effort that beat Hampton to make it 2-0.
Chelsea believed they had pulled themselves back into the tie in the 40th minute when Veerle Buurman rose at the back post to head in from close range. As Laia Codina fell to the turf, referee Alina Pesu immediately blew for a foul and ruled the goal out. VAR, overseen by Ovidiu Hategan, checked the decision, but the on-field call was upheld despite widespread disbelief inside the stadium and among pundits.
Replays showed Buurman placing her hands lightly on Codina’s shoulders as she jumped, with Codina not leaving the ground to challenge for the ball. No Arsenal players appealed for a foul. Former Wales international Nia Jones, speaking on BBC Two, said, “That’s not a foul. It’ll be interesting to see what VAR thinks.” Brighton forward Fran Kirby added on BBC Radio 5 Live, “You have to be stronger. She hasn’t pushed her enough; she’s just got above her. I don’t think there’s enough in it not to give the goal. It’s very, very soft.”
Chelsea players shared that view. Lucy Bronze said afterwards, “I don’t think any single player on the pitch thought it was a foul apart from the referee. As soon as the ref gave it, VAR was not going to overturn it. It would have been an important goal at halftime and could have swung the momentum.”
Head coach Sonia Bompastor was visibly furious on the touchline and remained so after the match, repeatedly questioning the fourth official and the VAR process. “It’s really frustrating,” she said. “When you are playing a quarter-final of the Champions League, you need to respect the women’s game more and respect the players more. The first goal is a goal. I don’t see with VAR how you cannot allow that goal. It’s a shame, to be honest.” Asked what explanation she was given, Bompastor replied, “Nothing. It’s always the same. They just say ‘we are checking’, but they made the wrong decision, and nothing changed.”
The Chelsea manager went further, questioning the purpose of VAR when decisions are not corrected. “When a human makes a mistake, you can understand a little bit more, but when there is VAR, it’s really difficult. It’s not the first time this season in the Champions League,” she said, referencing a disallowed Catarina Macario goal against Barcelona earlier in the campaign. “What is the point of VAR if it doesn’t make the right decisions?”
Chelsea continued to press after the interval and were rewarded in the 66th minute through a moment of brilliance from Lauren James, who collected a cleared corner 30 yards from goal and delicately chipped Anneke Borbe to make it 2 1. Arsenal responded effectively ten minutes later when Katie McCabe intercepted possession. Stina Blackstenius fed Alessia Russo, who controlled the ball with one touch before powering it past Hampton to restore the two-goal lead.
Chelsea had another goal ruled out late on when Kadeisha Buchanan bundled the ball over the line, though this time the decision was far less controversial as Buchanan caught Borbe with a high foot in the process. This goal being disallowed was understandable. Some fans claim there should have been a red card, but there were no calls on the pitch or by any pundits, commentators or managers for that. Arsenal closed out the match to take a commanding advantage into the second leg at Stamford Bridge. At the same time, Chelsea were left to reflect on a night where missed chances, fine margins and a deeply contentious VAR decision shaped the outcome of the tie.
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