Skip to content

Arsenal in late Ajax draw as Rangers lose Benfica thriller - Women's Champions League round-up

Stina Blackstenius and Kim Little were on target for Arsenal; Romee Leuchter scored twice for Ajax; Gunners head to the Netherlands next Wednesday, looking to secure a Champions League group stage spot; Meanwhile, Rangers are bidding to reach the group stage for the first time

Arsenal came from behind to lead, but were pegged back by Ajax late on
Image: Arsenal came from behind to lead, but were pegged back by Ajax late on

Arsenal still have work to do to reach the group stages of the Champions League after being held to a draw by Ajax on Tuesday.

The Gunners had fought back to lead in the first leg of their second-round qualifier at Meadow Park but were pegged back by a late equaliser as the Dutch side claimed a 2-2 draw.

Arsenal fell behind to a Romee Leuchter effort after 17 minutes at Boreham Wood but levelled with a Stina Blackstenius strike just six minutes later.

Kim Little scored for Arsenal from the penalty spot
Image: Kim Little scored for Arsenal from the penalty spot

Kim Little then gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot just before the hour but Leuchter's second of the evening seven minutes from time kept Ajax firmly in the tie.

Substitute Katie McCabe thought she had claimed a late winner for Arsenal but her effort was ruled out for offside.

Scottish champions Rangers will need to overturn a 3-2 deficit to advance after they were beaten by Benfica at Ibrox despite two goals from Kayla McCoy in a thriller at Ibrox.

Rangers, bidding to reach the group stage for the first time, were involved in an eventful encounter with McCoy heading them ahead after 25 minutes but Benfica hitting back with an Ana Vitoria double.

Also See:

McCoy responded to level the scores again but the Portuguese side, who also hit the woodwork twice, won it on 79 minutes when Victoria Esson failed to keep a out a ball that took a looping deflection off Lisa Martinez. The winner was later credited to Benfica captain Pauleta.

Win £1,000,000 with Super 6!
Win £1,000,000 with Super 6!

Super 6 is back, bigger and better than ever with a £1,000,000 jackpot. Play for free.

Around Sky