Chelsea W 1-0 Arsenal W Player Ratings: Caldentey 8.0/10 Shines as Arsenal Survive Late Drama to Reach Women's UCL Semi-Finals

Mohit Tomar

Modified - Apr 01, 2026, 09:12 PM

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Summary

Arsenal Women progressed to the Women's Champions League semi-finals 3-2 on aggregate despite a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, with Nusken's dramatic stoppage-time header not enough to overturn a deficit that Chelsea had created too late and too narrowly to matter.
Chelsea dominated large periods of a breathless second leg, forcing Van Domselaar into several outstanding saves and seeing a Blackstenius goal ruled out by the finest of VAR margins, but Arsenal's defensive resilience and Caldentey's creative authority kept them in control when it mattered most.
Mariona Caldentey was the standout performer at 8.0/10, her creative intelligence and composure throughout the tie the defining contribution of an Arsenal side that defended superbly, threatened on the counter, and ultimately deserved their place in the last four of the Women's Champions League.

Stamford Bridge was a cauldron of noise, tension, and drama, and for 94 minutes, it produced exactly the kind of Women's Champions League tie that reminds you why this competition has never felt more alive. Chelsea Women needed to overturn a two-goal deficit, and from the very first whistle, they pressed, probed, and pushed with everything they had. Arsenal, for their part, knew a clean sheet would be enough, and they defended with the discipline and organisation of a side that understood exactly what was at stake.

Caldentey was the constant creative heartbeat of an Arsenal side that refused to simply park the bus. The Spanish midfielder threatened repeatedly, created openings for Alessia Russo and Foord, and gave Chelsea's midfield no time to settle throughout a breathless contest that flowed without a clear winner. Hampton and Van Domselaar were both called into action repeatedly, the latter producing a stunning save from Kerr in the 53rd minute that proved decisive.

The match had one defining moment of genuine controversy, Blackstenius' goal in the 80th minute, ruled out by VAR for the narrowest of offside calls, which would have put Arsenal Women ahead on aggregate and all but ended Chelsea's hopes in an instant. Sjoeke Nusken's dramatic header deep into stoppage time gave Chelsea a 1-0 victory on the night, but it arrived too late, too narrow, and not enough to prevent Arsenal from progressing 3-2 on aggregate to the Women's Champions League semi-finals. Here are Sportsdunia's Chelsea W vs Arsenal W player ratings.