Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Chelsea Women3 - 1Arsenal Women

sportsmole.co.uk, 31 March 2024, 16:54
Arsenal Women retained the Women's League Cup after Stina Blackstenius scored an extra-time winner to edge out Chelsea at Molineux.

Chelsea forward Mayra Ramirez found the net in the first half, but her strike was ultimately ruled out due to a handball infringement.

After the respective goalkeepers were forced to make important stops in a cagey second period, the final was paused in stoppage time after Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum worryingly fell to the ground off the ball.

The final drifted into extra-time following a lengthy period of treatment, before Arsenal ultimately found the decisive breakthrough, with Blackstenius scoring in the 116th minute to clinch the silverware.

Jonas Eidevall's have now won the Women's League Cup in back-to-back seasons, while the Blues have now lost five consecutive finals in the competition.

Chelsea made a positive start to the contest, with Lauren James registering a shot on target in the opening 10 minutes.

The England international shifted the ball onto her right foot, before forcing Manuela Zinsberger to push the shot away from danger.

As the final moved past the 20th-minute mark, the Blues thought they had taken a precious lead through January signing Ramirez.

The Chelsea forward picked out the bottom corner with a driven strike from outside the box, only to see her effort ruled out for Cuthbert's handball in the build-up.

After being put under pressure in the opening quarter, Arsenal offered their own attacking threat, with Cloe Lacasse firing straight at the resolute Hannah Hampton.

With the game finely poised for the break, the first meaningful chance of the second period fell to Lacasse in the 66th minute.

Arsenal won the ball back just inside their own half and quickly worked it to Lacasse, who drove into the box before drawing a fine save from Hampton.

As the contest entered the final stages of regulation time, it was Zinberger's turn to make a crucial stop in a cagey final.

The Switzerland international came out of the goal to narrow the angle and deflect James' right-foot strike wide of the far post.

There was then concern around Molineux when Arsenal's Maanum went down off the ball in stoppage time, resulting in a lengthy stoppage for the Norwegian to be tended to by the paramedics and physios before being stretchered off.

Understandably, the encounter petered out when the players returned to the pitch, ensuring another 30 minutes were required.

Arsenal began to take control in extra-time as Chelsea started to feel the effects of their midweek Champions League outing against Ajax.

Blackstenius blazed over from a promising position, before defender Kadiesha Buchanan made a last-ditch block to deny Caitlin Foord.

However, Arsenal's pressure ultimately paid dividends in the 116th minute when Foord laid the ball off to Blackstenius, who managed to squeeze her effort past Hampton to guide the record winners to their seventh Women's League Cup trophy and quash Chelsea's hopes of winning the quadruple in Emma Hayes's final season in charge.

Top News

16 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo has said that he is planning to retire "in one or two years", with the Al-Nassr forward expected to be a part of the Portugal squad that competes at the 2026 World Cup. 16 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 16 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Azerbaijan vs. Estonia (Saturday, 2.00pm) Embroiled in a fight against relegation to the UEFA Nations League's lowest level, Azerbaijan and Estonia will clash in Qabala on Saturday afternoon. 16 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A place in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League will be at stake Monday when the USA welcome Jamaica to CityPark in St. 16 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly made a decision on whether they are willing to sell Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Aston Villa in January. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly showing interest in signing Brighton & Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey in the January transfer window. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portugal and Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has added yet another record to his ever-growing CV with the Selecao's 5-1 win over Poland in the UEFA Nations League. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United Women will look to maintain their unbeaten Women's Super League record when they travel to the King Power Stadium for Sunday's meeting with Leicester City Women. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A phenomenal second-half display from Portugal saw them stroll into the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals with a stunning 5-1 victory over Poland, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice for the hosts. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Spain made sure of top spot in Group 4 of League A in the UEFA Nations League on Friday night courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Denmark in Copenhagen. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk North Macedonia host the Faroe Islands in a UEFA Nations League encounter at Tose Proeski Arena this weekend, having already secured promotion to League B for the first time in their history. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim has said that he felt an immediate "connection" with Manchester United, with the Portuguese speaking for the first time since being officially confirmed as the club's new head coach. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have confirmed that Paul Pogba's contract has been terminated by mutual consent following the reduction of his doping suspension. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim has said that Manchester United supporters "will see an idea" when the Red Devils take to the field for their first match under his leadership after the international break. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Twenty odd years ago, Lyon were the unwavering, dominant force of Ligue 1 football, winning seven straight titles from 2002 to 2008 under the watchful eye of Jean-Michel Aulas. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Liverpool have reportedly been informed they will need to meet Mohammed Kudus's £85m release clause if they want to sign the West Ham United attacker. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly prepared to rival two Premier League clubs for Espanyol full-back Omar El Hilali. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola has reportedly reached an agreement to extend his stay as Manchester City manager. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Former Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy allegedly has his sights set on a Championship job. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly working to tie experienced attacker Leandro Trossard down to a new contract in North London. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly pushing for the Red Devils to sign Flamengo youngster Lorran during the January transfer window. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic have been handed a boost in their pursuit of long-term target Mathias Kvistgaarden amidst uncertainty over the future of Nicolas Kuhn. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool Women will make the short trip to Goodison Park for Sunday's derby clash against Merseyside rivals Everton Women. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Norway welcome already-relegated Kazakhstan to Oslo on the final matchday of the UEFA Nations League on Sunday evening. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League trio Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have all seemingly discovered the asking price of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic has suggested that it is possible Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof could make the move to the Italian giants next year. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has provided a fresh update on his future ahead of the January transfer window amid reported interest from clubs in the Premier League. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United wonderkid Bendito Mantato is allegedly on the radar of new Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim, with the youngster potentially earning a first-team promotion in the near future. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Group B3 leaders Austria welcome Slovenia to Vienna in the final matchday of the UEFA Nations League on Sunday evening. 15 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona sporting director Deco has refused to reveal whether Vitor Roque is in the club's long-term plans.