Arsenal produced a composed and convincing performance to overcome OH Leuven in the Women’s Champions League, striking twice in a dominant first half before Caitlin Foord’s second-half goal sealed a comfortable victory. Despite a spirited response from the hosts after the break, the Gunners’ superior quality and control ensured progression for both sides, with Arsenal finishing the group stage strongly and OH Leuven doing enough to claim the final qualification spot. Read our full match report on OH Leuven vs. Arsenal here.
Match Highlights
Olivia Smith opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 18th minute.
Mead double the lead with a stunning strike 11 minutes later.
Caitlin Foord extended the lead to 3-0 in the second half by forcing an own goal from Jansen.
Source: Arsenal Women
The Visitors Take Control
Arsenal asserted their authority early in the Women’s Champions League clash with OH Leuven. The visitors threatened inside the opening minutes when Olivia Smith delivered a teasing ball across the box that found Alessia Russo, but OH Leuven goalkeeper Lisa Seynhaeve was alert to gather the header. Despite setting up in a compact, disciplined shape, the Belgian side showed a clear intent to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm, stepping in to intercept passes and looking to spring counters when opportunities arose.
Arsenal, however, monopolised possession in the early stages, recording 63 per cent of the ball in the first 15 minutes and repeatedly testing Seynhaeve. Russo again went close with a header, only for the Leuven goalkeeper to deny her once more.
The pressure eventually told as Arsenal broke the deadlock through Smith. A neat one-two with Mariona Caldentey sent the forward through on goal. Seynhaeve saved the initial effort, but Smith reacted quickest to tuck away the rebound and give the visitors the lead.
Mead Finds the Back of the Net
Arsenal doubled their advantage 11 minutes later with a moment of real quality from Beth Mead. Kim Little combined cleverly with Russo before the striker slipped Mead into space. The winger cut inside onto her left foot and curled a superb finish into the side netting, leaving Seynhaeve with no chance.
Further chances followed before the interval. Arsenal won a free kick in a dangerous area after Little was fouled, with McCabe, Russo and Caldentey standing over the ball. It was Caldentey who stepped up, curling an effort towards the top corner, but Seynhaeve managed to keep it out.
OH Leuven’s goalkeeper was called into action again shortly before the break when Katie McCabe’s delivery found Lotte Wubben-Moy, whose header was destined for the bottom corner before Seynhaeve produced another fine save to keep her side in the contest.
Despite Leuven’s resilience, Arsenal headed into the dressing room firmly in control, their two-goal advantage reflecting a commanding first-half performance.
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 07: Sára Pusztai of OH Leuven celebrates scoring her team’s second goal with teammates during the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2025/26 league phase match between Paris FC and Oud-Heverlee Leuvenat on October 07, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paris-FC-v-Oud-Heverlee-Leuven-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD1-14.jpg?fit=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paris-FC-v-Oud-Heverlee-Leuven-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD1-14.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paris-FC-v-Oud-Heverlee-Leuven-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD1-14.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1" alt class="wp-image-17000" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paris-FC-v-Oud-Heverlee-Leuven-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD1-14.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&quality=89&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paris-FC-v-Oud-Heverlee-Leuven-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD1-14.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=89&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paris-FC-v-Oud-Heverlee-Leuven-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD1-14.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=89&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paris-FC-v-Oud-Heverlee-Leuven-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD1-14.jpg?resize=1536%2C1023&quality=89&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paris-FC-v-Oud-Heverlee-Leuven-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD1-14.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/womenfootball.blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paris-FC-v-Oud-Heverlee-Leuven-UEFA-Womens-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD1-14.jpg?w=1600&quality=89&ssl=1 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px">
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 07: Sára Pusztai of OH Leuven celebrates scoring her team’s second goal with teammates during the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2025/26 league phase match between Paris FC and Oud-Heverlee. (Photo by Franco Arland – UEFA via Getty Images)
OH Leuven Try to Get Back into the Game
OH Leuven emerged with renewed energy after the interval, tightening the spaces and forcing Arsenal to retreat into their own half on several occasions. The hosts looked far more assertive, disrupting Arsenal’s build-up and briefly shifting the momentum of the contest.
Much of Leuven’s attacking threat came down the left flank, where Dekker found joy in the space afforded by Arsenal full-back Hinds. The winger repeatedly drove forward, providing the home side with their most promising moments of the half, though clear-cut chances remained limited.
Just after the hour mark, Arsenal manager Renée Slegers turned to her bench, introducing Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord in place of Kim Little and Olivia Smith, while Leah Williamson replaced Steph Catley to add control and composure at the back.
The substitutions paid off almost immediately. Foord was released by a perfectly weighted long ball from Cooney-Cross and surged towards goal before firing a shot that deflected off Jansen and into the net. An initial offside flag briefly halted celebrations, but a VAR review confirmed Foord had timed her run to perfection, extending Arsenal’s lead.
As the match entered its final stages, Arsenal turned the screw. A series of sustained attacks pinned OH Leuven deep in their own half, with the home side visibly tiring and losing their defensive shape. The visitors found increasing pockets of space and created opportunities at will.
Despite Arsenal’s late dominance, no further goals were added. The result nonetheless secured progression for both sides into the next round of the Women’s Champions League. Arsenal finished the group stage in fifth place, while OH Leuven claimed the final qualification spot, rounding out the top twelve.