Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey scores their side's first goal of the game from a penalty during the UEFA Women's Champions League match at Mangata Developments Stadium Meadow Park, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 22, 2026. (Image: PA)
Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey scores their side's first goal of the game from a penalty during the UEFA Women's Champions League match at Mangata Developments Stadium Meadow Park, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 22, 2026. (Image: PA)
Mariona Caldentey’s spot kick deep into added time saw Arsenal break down a resilient HB Køge and earn a narrow 1-0 win in their UEFA Women's Champions League opener
The 2025 Champions League winners were looking to kickstart their season after a win at Brighton, and two draws at the Emirates against Crystal Palace and Manchester United in their first three WSL games.
In recent seasons, this competition had been a happy hunting ground for the Gunners, having made it to the semi-finals last season before narrowly losing to Lyon.
Arsenal thought they’d taken an early lead when Kyra Cooney-Cross’ ball in from the left was thumped home by Chloe Kelly, only for VAR to rule the goal out for an offside against Stina Blackstenius.
Despite the offside call, Arsenal did not create chance after chance in the first half, managing a mere five shots. Cooney-Cross took the initiative on herself, and fired a low effort inches wide of the left post.
The Australian’s effort was the final one of a frustrating first half for the Gunners, but equally a very impressive from HB Køge, who had not been afraid to try and create opportunities of their own, managing a singular shot on target like their opponents.
Alessia Russo came on at half-time for Blackstenius to try and change Arsenal’s fortunes in attack, with the England forward had a brilliant chance seconds into the second half, managing to miss the ball completely.
The hosts made a double change ten minutes into the second half as Mariona Caldentey and Lisa Baum replaced Kim Little and Caitlin Foord in an attempt to try and break the deadlock.
Every tackle, block and save from HB Køge was loudly cheered by their bench, as things almost went wrong for the Danish champions as keeper Alberte Vingum misjudged the flight of Steph Catley’s free kick, yet she managed to reposition herself and get a fingertip to it.
Despite the Gunners' dominance, Køge still created chances of their own and would’ve taken the lead if not for a last-ditch clearance. The visitors grew in confidence going into the closing stages but still lacked the end product.
While there was confidence, desperation also remained as Køge failed to clear an Arsenal corner only for Leah Williamson to fire over from close range.
The hosts' blushes were spared after they were awarded a penalty in the 92nd minute after Selina Cerci was brought down.
Mariona stepped up and narrowly found the bottom left corner even though Vingum got a strong hand to the spot kick.
It was to be virtually the final kick of the game, and an extremely important moment for Arsenal, who somehow found a lifeline despite showing a clear lack of quality in attack for large parts of the game.
The most important thing was that the Gunners had begun their Women’s Champions League campaign with three points. However, despite their attacking quality, three goals in four games was a big concern heading into a stretch of games where they travel to Chelsea, Paris FC and Manchester City before the first international break of the season.