Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius scored the winning goal in time beyond regulation to beat Chelsea 1-0 in the Women’s League Cup final at Molineux Stadium on Sunday in a match overshadowed by the collapse of Gunners midfielder Frida Maanum at half-time.
Maanum collapsed on the pitch in second-half stoppage time and was carried off on a stretcher, with Arsenal subsequently announcing on X (formerly on Twitter) that “Frida is conscious, speaking and in a stable condition. She will continue to be closely monitored by our medical team.”
No further details were provided about the cause of the incident.
In an in depth first half, Mayra Ramirez thought she had given Chelsea the lead in the twenty first minute with an excellent shot from outside the box, but the goal was allowed because Erin Cuthbert held the ball in the build-up.
Cuthbert inadvertently gave Arsenal an enormous likelihood midway through the second half, winning the ball in midfield and allowing the Gunners to counter-attack, but Cloe Lacasse shot straight at Hannah Hampton.
England international Lauren James almost grabbed a late winner in the eighty fifth minute, cutting in from the left and aiming for the far corner, but Manuela Zinsberger used her foot to steer the ball to safety.
Minutes later, Maanum collapsed, forcing concerned players and fans to call doctors onto the pitch to treat her, and after an extended break, the Norwegian was replaced by Alessia Russo and the match was restarted, ending in a goalless draw a couple of minutes later.
Both teams missed several good possibilities in time beyond regulation until Caitlin Foord arrange Swede Blackstenius and Blackstenius got the ball back before hitting a runner from close range to ensure Arsenal retained their title.
Credit : www.independent.co.uk