Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Paris FC in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Wednesday night after a bizarre late penalty decision. The result keeps the Gunners under pressure following a difficult start to the domestic and European campaign.
Wednesday night’s fixture at the Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris saw the visitors establish a commanding lead through Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway before a chaotic finish upended the match. Russo opened the scoring by playing a one-two with Stanway before driving a low shot into the bottom right corner. That strike marked Russo’s first goal of the season and moved her within one goal of Fran Kirby’s all-time record for English scorers in the Women’s Champions League.
Early in the second half, Georgia Stanway doubled the advantage in the 50th minute by half-volleying an Emily Fox cross past the goalkeeper. But Paris FC clawed their way back into the contest when Clara Mateo broke through the defense down the left flank, rounded goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez, and slotted the ball into an empty net in the 72nd minute. The team that previously inflicted a shock penalty shootout defeat to knock Arsenal out of qualifying in 2023 tested the Gunners’ resolve once more. The second-half collapse also featured a mix-up between centre-backs Lotte Wubben-Moy and Leah Williamson as they both moved to close down Evelyne Viens before the Canadian forward slipped the ball wide to Mateo.
The Disputed Goal-Kick Incident Involving Leah Williamson
The defining moment of the evening arrived with just three minutes of regular time remaining. Following a goal kick, Rodríguez passed the ball to defender Leah Williamson. Referee Iuliana Demetrescu had already blown her whistle to resume play, leading the official to penalize Williamson for handling a live ball inside the penalty area. The match took this strange turn after Rodríguez passed a rolling ball to the England captain so she could take the goal kick as the team normally does.
If we’re looking at what we can control, it’s just passing the ball to Leah from what I remember seeing. The ball was still rolling and she [Rodriguez] was moving it to Leah for her to take the goal-kicks as we normally do. So maybe the learning in that is how we get the ball to Leah, so we don’t put ourselves in that situation.
Aaron D’Antino, Assistant Coach, via BBC
Substitute Maeline Mendy converted the resulting spot-kick into the bottom corner to secure a 2-2 draw for Paris FC. The decision sparked intense frustration among the Arsenal players, who surrounded the referee in protest.
For me, I just don’t even know how that happens. Leah knows it’s a goal-kick, she’s catching the ball. That’s shocking from the referee. I would have been fuming and I would have been embarrassed if they gave that. This is not what they’re trying to do. It’s just beyond frustrating that that’s how they’ve tied the game.
Jen Beattie, former Arsenal and Scotland defender, via BBC
Assistant coach Aaron D’Antino handled post-match media duties while manager Renée Slegers did not attend the press conference, understood to be too angry following the late collapse. D’Antino argued that no advantage had been gained because the goal-kick had not yet been taken.
Parallels to Previous European Matches and Tough Arsenal Form
For Arsenal, the dropped points compound a challenging start to the 2026-27 campaign. Their current shot conversion rate stands at 2.5%, representing the lowest figure in the WSL since Yeovil Town competed professionally in the 2017-18 season. The side also needed a late penalty to see off BK Häcken on matchday one in the Champions League.
I mean, not ideal. I think we lost control of the second half a little way before [the penalty] anyway. So, it’s about managing the game a little bit better. I also think the first half, and throughout the game, we had some really, really good spells, so now it’s about using that to push forward.
Alessia Russo, Arsenal striker, via Arsenal’s official media channels
Upcoming Domestic Showdown Against Manchester City
Arsenal must quickly regroup ahead of a fifth Women’s Super League clash against title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, October 4. That fixture serves as the final test before the October international break, with kick-off scheduled for 4:30 pm.
Following the international fixtures, the team will return to action at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, October 17, for a 12:45 pm kick-off against Birmingham City.
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