Arsenal 1-0 FC Twente result – UEFA Women’s Champions League latest as Beth Mead’s deflected goal earns Gunners vital win in qualification bid

MEAD’S WINNER KEEPS ARSENAL HOPES ALIVE

Beth Mead’s 11th minute deflected strike earned Arsenal an important 1-0 win against FC Twente to keep their hopes of securing a top four qualification spot alive.

After losing two of their opening four matches Renee Slegers’ side needed to win their remaining games to avoid a play-off match.

They came up against an FC Twente side needing to avoid defeat to have any chance of qualifying.

The Gunners dominated the match from the outset and Mead had an eighth minute effort cleared off the line.

The forward made no mistake minutes later with her effort taking a deflection past goalkeeper Diede Lemey and into the net.

Arsenal dominated the remainder of the first half but were met by a wall of Twente shirts as they struggled to trouble their opponents’ goal.

The second half continued in similar fashion with the Dutch visitors blocking any attempt at goal.

Striker Alessia Russo should have sealed the win with 10 minutes remaining, but could only head Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum’s cross onto the bar.

However, Twente struggled to muster a late fightback and Arsenal held on for victory.

Slegers’ side head to Leuven next week for their final group game knowing a win could secure themselves a top four spot in the group and qualify for the quarterfinals without needing a play-off.

Elsewhere, Juventus were the night’s biggest winners as they ran out 5-0 victors at St Polter. Real Madrid joined them in the top four with a 2-0 win against Wolfsburg. Meanwhile, PSG were held to a goal-less draw by Leuven.

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