Advantage Arsenal in women's Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea / Photo: © AFP
-
Zambia's vote marred by intimidation, counting pause: observers
-
Villagers evacuate as Belgium battles record wildfire
-
Marchand wins 200m butterfly for first Euros gold
-
Despite booming economy, young Moroccans still dream of Europe
-
Fernandez booed by Chelsea fans in friendly win over Sociedad
-
South Korea president proposes talks with North to formally end Korean War
-
Fans line Welsh streets as Bonnie Tyler body's returns for funeral
-
Residents evacuate as Belgium wildfire scorches 1,600 hectares
-
Tropical Storm Lala lashes Hawaii with heavy rain
-
easyJet strike sees 100 French flights cancelled
-
Lebanon reports 11 dead in strikes that Israel says targeted Hezbollah
-
Monica Bellucci and Florin Serban win at Locarno Film Festival
-
Crystal Palace sign Israel winger Khalaili
-
India's Padikkal hits unbeaten century in first Sri Lanka Test
-
Rescuers search for survivors as Indonesian quake death toll rises to 47
-
Liechtenstein places gender equality on its throne
-
Taliban govt supporters dance, take selfies in Kabul celebrations
-
Street rallies held as Taliban govt marks five years ruling Afghanistan
-
UK PM urges 'reflection' after Cambridge professor's death
-
World Cup winner Ferran Torres signs for PSG from Barcelona
-
Rescuers search for survivors as Indonesian quake death toll rises to 40
-
Monsoon rains submerge villages, fields in Myanmar
-
Earthquake rocks Spain's tourist jewel Granada
-
India's Padikkal, Rahul hit half-centuries in Sri Lanka Test
-
Perez, Fiorini set world records in winning Euro race walk golds
-
UK-based Afghan writer pleads for country's 'abandoned' women
-
Lebanon says 9 dead in strikes as Israel says targeted Hezbollah
-
Werro edges Hodgkinson in boost for world record-seeking 800m rivalry
-
World Cup winner Ferran Torres signs for Paris Saint-Germain
-
Mehidy claims Smith as Bangladesh sense historic upset in Australia
-
Disney reveals 'X-Men' cast, slate of sequels at D23 fan event
-
Indonesia rescuers search for survivors as quake death toll rises to 38
-
Star Cameroon goalkeeper Bihina faces Malawi's prolific Chawinga sisters in WAFCON final
-
Japan coach Jones says team should not get despondent after heavy loss
-
Mehidy claims Smith to keep Bangladesh on top in Australia Test
-
Flags, music as Taliban authorities mark five years ruling Afghanistan
-
Iran fires back at Trump's threat to declare Hormuz a US territory
-
'Like we were on a trampoline': Indonesia quake kills 20, thousands flee
-
No monkey business: India 'whisperers' guard world championships
-
Australia run riot to crush Japan 56-17 in Townsville
-
Steady India 101-1 at lunch in first Sri Lanka Test
-
Stolen Matisse works tied to infamous art thief in Brazil
-
Faced with historic drought, the Dutch rethink water management
-
Hasan strikes twice for Bangladesh to reduce Australia to 51-2
-
Pallister holds off Ledecky to win Pan Pacs 400m free title
-
Powerful quake off Indonesia kills 20, sparks mass evacuations
-
India's Modi woos youth with free coaching, AI training
-
Mehidy half-century steers Bangladesh to 228-run lead in Australia Test
-
Mehidy half-century steers Bangladesh to big lead in Australia Test
-
Japan defence minister visits war shrine, PM stays away
Advantage Arsenal in women's Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea
Stina Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo were all on target as Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday in the first leg of an all-London women's Champions League quarter-final.
Lauren James pulled a goal back for Chelsea to keep the Blues in the tie but reigning European champions Arsenal will still be well-placed come kick-off in next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge.
The women's Champions League was the one major title that eluded Chelsea during Emma Hayes' trophy-laden 12-year reign and the Blues are still seeking to be crowned queens of Europe for the first time since Sonia Bompastor replaced the now-United States boss in 2024
Chelsea were twice denied by the woodwork early in Tuesday's tie.
After just five minutes, Alyssa Thompson's cross looped off the boot of Laia Codina and spun over goalkeeper Anneke Borbe before rebounding off the far post.
Two minutes later, James saw a shot hit the same post before the ball fell clear.
Arsenal, however, went ahead in the 22nd minute when Sweden striker Blackstenius headed home her first Champions League goal of the season from a Katie McCabe free-kick.
The Gunners doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Beth Mead played a crossfield pass to Kelly, who took a touch before lashing a 20-yard drive underneath another England international in Blues goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
Chelsea had the ball in the net five minutes before half-time but Veerle Buurman's effort was disallowed for a shove on Laia Codina -- a borderline decision upheld by VAR to the obvious annoyance of Bompastor.
Chelsea gave themselves a lifeline when James left fly in the 66th minute with a brilliant left-footed curling lob from some 25 yards out.
But Russo restored Arsenal's two-goal advantage 14 minutes from time when, after being played in by Blackstenius, she flicked the ball up and volleyed past Hampton in fine style.
Chelsea suffered fresh frustration in stoppage time when Kadeisha Buchanan bundled the ball into the net only to be penalised for a foul on Borbe.
The sides meet again on Thursday April 2 with the winner set to meet Wolfsburg or eight-times champions Lyon with the German side leading 1-0 after the first leg.
J.Bergmann--BTB
