Lina Hurtig pounces late to secure WCL quarter-final place for Arsenal

Arsenal 1 Juventus 0

A late goal from Lina Hurtig ensured Arsenal booked their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League as they continued their mini-renaissance under interim manager Renee Slegers.

Having run out 4-0 winners in the away fixture the previous week, this should have been a straightforward exercise but the hosts made hard work of their victory.

On a bitterly cold night, Arsenal lacked creativity and were guilty of playing too laterally.

In a largely uneventful first half, they failed to register a shot on target. Their possession-based game is at times delightful to watch, but it quickly becomes redundant if it does not translate into goals.

Juventus were well-drilled defensively – they somehow managed to survive a goalmouth scramble on the hour when Caitlin Foord blasted the ball straight at a wall of bodies – as Arsenal pressed for a winner, which was only made possible after Slegers rang the changes up front.

Substitutes Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius combined for the breakthrough, the manner of which pretty much summed up Arsenal’s lacklustre night. Hurtig poked home her compatriot’s tame cross, but it proved enough as Sleger’s tactical tweaks paid off.

The Dutchwoman, who succeeded Jonas Eidevall after he resigned last month, has now presided over six wins in seven games since taking charge. Although her side just edged it, calls will surely grow louder for the 35-year-old to be given the job on a long-term basis.

Hurtig had two glorious opportunities late on, heading agonisingly wide at the far post before squandering another chance from close range, before bundling home moments later.

Frida Maanum has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers this season but the Norwegian was at fault for not putting her side ahead earlier - she skied over from close range in the first half after Paulina Krumbiegel was dispossessed in the penalty area, while Alessia Russo struggled to make an impact up front.

Juventus were both well-drilled and determined. The visitors almost went ahead when Sofia Cantore’s glancing header drifted inches wide and they would have done so had Daphne van Domselaar not parried Arianna Caruso’s low effort with a quarter of an hour remaining, as Arsenal rode out some bumpy moments to continue their unbeaten run under Slegers.

“It’s the perfect ending to this block for now,” the caretaker said, adding that it felt “surreal” to progress with two games to spare. “All the players totally deserve it and it gives us some breathing space.”

Match details

Arsenal Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Walti, Little (Kafaji 86), Caldentey, Maanum (Blackstenius 65), Foord (Mead 65); Russo (Hurtig 80).
Substitutes Zinsberger (gk), Williams (gk), Wubben-Moy, Codina, Kuhl, Wienroither, Cooney-Cross, Reid.

Juventus Payraud-Magnin; Lenzini, Calligaris, Cascarino; Bergamaschi (Bonansea 65), Schatzer, Bennison (Boattin 65), Krumbiegel (Thomas 82); Caruso; Cantore (Beccari 73), Vangsgaard (Girelli 73). 
Substitutes Capelletti (gk), Proulx (gk), Kullberg, Lehmann, Rosucci, Bragonzi, Gallo. Booked Cascarino.

Referee Eva Augustyn (Pol). Attendance 9,963.