Arsenal Women beat Chelsea 3-1 to take a strong lead in Champions League tie

Arsenal Women secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final, extending their winning run to 10 matches in all competitions.

The hosts took control with a two-goal advantage before the break, with Stina Blackstenius opening the scoring and Chloe Kelly adding a second with a long-range strike. Although Chelsea pulled one back through Lauren James, Alessia Russo restored Arsenal’s cushion with a decisive third goal.

Chelsea began the match brightly and created early pressure. Lucy Bronze sent Alyssa Thompson down the right, and her cross deflected onto the post via Katie McCabe. Sandy Baltimore then fired wide, while Chelsea struck the woodwork again as James hit the post with another effort.

Arsenal’s first real chance came in the 18th minute when Beth Mead played the ball through to Blackstenius. The forward managed to get a shot away, but Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton narrowed the angle and made the save.

However, Hampton could not prevent Arsenal from taking the lead moments later. In the 21st minute, McCabe delivered an inswinging free-kick that Blackstenius headed into the bottom left corner.

Arsenal continued to press, and Blackstenius had another opportunity when she met Russo’s cross first time, but her effort went straight at Hampton. The second goal arrived through a different approach.

Kelly received the ball from Mead, took a touch to cut inside from the left, and struck a powerful shot from at least 25 yards. The ball flew into the bottom right corner, doubling Arsenal’s advantage and prompting celebrations in front of the home supporters despite challenging weather conditions.

Chelsea thought they had reduced the deficit before half-time after a Baltimore free-kick led to the ball finding the net. However, the referee ruled out the goal for a foul on Laia Codina.

At the start of the second half, Arsenal made a change, with Taylor Hinds replacing Codina and McCabe moving into a central defensive role.

Arsenal had an early chance to extend their lead further. Kelly found Russo, who created space but shot straight at Hampton, while Blackstenius’ follow-up effort was blocked.

With half an hour remaining, Arsenal made another substitution as Olivia Smith came on for Kelly.

Chelsea found a breakthrough in the 66th minute. James scored with a long-range effort, placing the ball into the top left corner to bring her side back into the game.

Arsenal responded strongly and restored their two-goal advantage in the 76th minute. McCabe worked to move the ball forward despite being on the ground, and Blackstenius set it up for Russo. The forward finished clinically into the bottom left corner to make it 3-1.

Further substitutions followed, with Frida Maanum and Smilla Holmberg replacing Blackstenius and Mead.

Chelsea continued to search for another goal. In the 89th minute, James attempted another long-range shot, but Arsenal goalkeeper Anneke Borbe was able to parry the effort away.

Chelsea had the ball in the net again late on following a corner from James, but the goal was disallowed as the referee judged that a foul had been committed on Borbe.

Arsenal made their final change with Victoria Pelova replacing Mariona Caldentey.

The result gives Arsenal a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg of the quarter-final, placing them in a strong position in the tie.