Arsenal Women surrendered a two-goal lead in the UEFA Women’s Champions League after a bizarre 87th-minute penalty incident allowed Paris to secure a 2-2 draw at the Stade Jean-Bouin. The London side had been cruising toward a comfortable victory at the stadium in Paris before squandering their two-goal advantage, with the opening goal to reduce the deficit arriving in the 72nd minute, though that earlier setback initially failed to rattle the stronger side as they comfortably guarded their lead. With the game winding down in the French capital, goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez retrieved the ball from behind the goal line, threw it into play, and appeared to play it back to defender Leah Williamson while it was still rolling. French forward Evelyne Viens rushed to press the Arsenal backline, prompting Williamson to reach out and stop the ball with her hand under the apparent impression that it was not yet active.
Referee Iuliana Demetrescu Points to the Spot After VAR Review
Referee Iuliana Demetrescu immediately halted play as Viens gestuled for a handball. Following a VAR review that confirmed the infraction despite vehement protests from the visiting Arsenal players, the official awarded a penalty kick. Maeline Mendy stepped up and converted the spot-kick in the 87th minute, erasing a two-goal advantage that Arsenal had held well into the second half. The late equalizer split the points in Group stage play, leaving the London side stunned on foreign soil.
Assistant Coach Aaron D’Antino Steps in for Post-Match Press Conference
The controversial conclusion proved too much for Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers, who was too angry to attend the post-match press conference. Instead, assistant coach Aaron D’Antino handled media duties and voiced fierce disagreement with the officiating decision. “The way the game finished is for us an incredible disappointment,” D’Antino told reporters at the Stade Jean-Bouin. “We don’t think it was a penalty. In my opinion, the goal kick from our goalkeeper had not even been taken. Leah gained no advantage whatsoever by stopping the ball.”
Standings and Group Context Across the European Campaign
While Arsenal manages the fallout from the dramatic draw in Paris, several other European heavyweights are competing across group fixtures in the UEFA Women's Champions League. Arsenal now face a swift turnaround to regroup in domestic and European competition as the group stage intensifies.
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