Arsenal Women win Champions League opener via 92nd-minute penalty

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Arsenal Women have opened their Champions League campaign with a win, but it took until the 92nd minute to break down HB Koge in a 1-0 victory at home.

Mariona Caldentey was the player who finally settled it, converting from the spot after Selina Cerci drove into the box and was tripped by Sakabe in the second minute of stoppage time. Mariona's penalty went just over goalkeeper Vingum, who got a touch but could not keep it out.

Renee Slegers made eight changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Manchester United, with only Leah Williamson, Steph Catley and Stina Blackstenius retaining their places. It meant a fourth different midfield and forward line combination, with Chloe Kelly and Caitlin Foord either side of Blackstenius, and Frida Maanum, Kim Little and Kyra Cooney-Cross in midfield.

The goal that wasn't

Arsenal thought they had the breakthrough on 13 minutes. Cooney-Cross intercepted, played a one-two with Foord on the edge of the box and crossed to the centre, where Kelly guided the ball into the corner with the outside of her foot.

After a lengthy delay, the referee was sent to the monitor and the goal was chalked off — Blackstenius, in an offside position, was judged to be in the goalkeeper's eyeline.

The hosts had opportunities before and after. Kelly fired just over early on, Foord's effort from Holmberg's cross was blocked by Schultz, Maanum turned and shot straight at Vingum on 26 minutes, and Cooney-Cross drove forward to shoot just wide. Koge grew into the half, with Schultz's deflected effort dipping just over the bar on 32 minutes.

Chances came, precision didn't

Alessia Russo replaced Blackstenius at the break, and Arsenal's second half carried more threat. Hinds fired over on 48 minutes, Vingum tipped over a Catley delivery under pressure from Williamson, and Hinds' cutback found Russo whose shot was blocked. Hinds then had another effort blocked, with Kelly's follow-up also stopped.

Mariona and Baum came on for Little and Foord on 58 minutes, Cerci replaced Maanum on 72 — pushing Russo into the number 10 role — and Olivia Smith came on for Kelly on 82 minutes. From a subsequent corner, Holmberg's cross clipped the bar, and three minutes later Williamson blazed over from another set piece.

At the other end, Borbe claimed a dangerous Gejl free kick in first-half stoppage time and saw a second-half cross slip through her hands before Arsenal cleared.

As Arseblog noted in their match report, the final action often lacked precision and conviction despite the improved second-half chance creation.

Three points are on the board in the 2026-27 UEFA Women's Champions League, though, and Slegers will take that against a side that set up to defend deep for 90 minutes. The challenge now is turning territorial dominance into goals before the margins get tighter later in the competition.