Arsenal have continued their excellent start to the UEFA Women’s Champions League’s group stage with a 3-1 victory over Swiss club FC Zürich at The Emirates Stadium this evening.
Lina Hurtig netted a brace while Jordan Nobbs was also on target as The Gunners made it two wins out of two in the group stage.
The visitors matched Arsenal early on and were able to stifle their attacks. Set pieces looked to be The North Londoners’ biggest threat with Jen Beattie getting on the end of a couple of free-kicks but she failed to beat FC Zürich keeper Lourdes Romero.
Arsenal finally created a real chance of note in the 38th minute and it produced a goal. Nobbs met a Steph Catley cross on the volley and she crashed her effort home via the crossbar.
Despite The Gunners having struggled to open up their opponents, they went into the break two goals to the good. Hurtig beat Romero to a Mana Iwabuchi cross and she sent a looping header into the far side of the net. FC Zürich almost responded immediately but Arsenal debutant Kaylan Marckese denied Nadine Riesen.
The visitors should have reduced the arrears early in the second half but Seraina Piubel somehow fired wide with a clear sight of goal. At the other end, Arsenal had a couple of penalty shouts but neither Hurtig or Katie McCabe were fouled in the opinion of the referee.
FC Zürich’s Piubel made up for her unforgivable miss earlier in the half when she pulled a goal back with 14 minutes to go. She latched onto Eleni Markou’s through ball before thumping her effort into the net off the crossbar.
Stina Blackstenius curled an effort wide before Hurtig’s close range finish made it 3-1 to the hosts. Blackstenius then chipped both Romero and the goal in injury time before the FC Zürich keeper denied Vivianne Miedema as Arsenal failed to add further goals to their tally.
Arsenal will travel to Italy to take on Juventus on Matchday 3 while FC Zürich will host Lyon.
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