Matildas stars Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley have moved within touching distance of a place in the Women’s Champions League knockout phase after helping Arsenal beat Juventus 1-0 in London.
Read Also
A hard-fought victory over Australian Joe Montemurro’s Juventus team means a point at home to defending champions Lyon next week, who beat FC Zurich 4-0 to go above Juve into second, will send the English outfit through to the last eight of Europe’s elite competition.
After Williamson picked out Blackstenius down the right, the cross by the Swedish striker was missed by ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and Miedema was on hand to fire home into the empty net.
Foord saw a long-range strike parried wide, while Blackstenius and Lottie Wubben-Moy also went close before half-time to ensure Arsenal’s advantage remained at only one for the interval.
Juventus came out with better intent after the break but it was the home side which continued to create the better chances, with Foord denied by Peyraud-Magnin.
Former Arsenal boss Montemurro saw his side continue to push for a leveller but the best they could muster were hopeful long-range efforts from Lisa Boattin and Julia Grosso, before Valentina Cernoia’s added-time free kick landed on the roof of the net.
