Arsenal lost 1-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but still advanced to the Women’s Champions League semi-finals, protecting a 3-2 aggregate lead. The defending champions’ 11-match winning run ended, yet the two-goal advantage from the first leg proved enough against a Chelsea side that applied long spells of pressure.

Arsenal entered the second leg knowing a draw would secure progress, and the game plan focused on managing Chelsea’s attacks. The visitors limited clear chances for long periods and almost killed the tie late on, before a tight offside call denied a crucial away goal.

Stina Blackstenius thought the contest was over in the 80th minute, heading in from close range, but the assistant ruled offside and the goal did not stand. That decision arrived after Chelsea had already wasted good chances, with Sjoeke Nusken and Alyssa Thompson both missing from promising positions.

Chelsea increased the tempo after Blackstenius’ disallowed effort, forcing Arsenal deeper. Veerle Buurman struck the post from inside the six-yard box, then goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar diverted a Nusken header onto the frame of the goal. At the other end, Beth Mead also hit the woodwork with a strike that might have settled nerves.

Nusken finally beat van Domselaar with a powerful stoppage-time finish, giving Chelsea brief hope of a late comeback. The goal reduced the deficit on the night, but the aggregate score still favoured Arsenal. Chelsea’s frustration grew further as head coach Sonia Bompastor received a red card in the final moments on the touchline.

The result extended a strong pattern for Arsenal in two-legged Champions League knockout ties. Arsenal had now progressed from each of the last 14 such contests after winning the first leg, a sequence stretching back to the 2008-09 season and underlining the value of their earlier 3-1 home victory.

Reaching this semi-final also maintained Arsenal’s regular presence deep in the competition. Arsenal moved to nine appearances in the last four, with only Lyon, on 13 semi-final qualifications at this stage, ahead in that ranking. The holders remained on course to challenge again for the European title.

Despite going out, Chelsea often looked the more threatening side at Stamford Bridge. Both teams produced plenty of attempts, yet the underlying numbers showed Chelsea created clearer openings, even though Arsenal recorded more total shots.

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Arsenal finished with 22 shots to Chelsea’s 16, but expected goals told another story. Chelsea posted 2.52 expected goals against Arsenal’s 1.81, reflecting the quality of the Blues’ missed chances. Arsenal survived those moments, protected the aggregate cushion from the first leg, and secured a Champions League semi-final place.