Caldentey's 93rd-Minute Penalty Rescues Arsenal Against HB Koge

Arsenal Women survived a wasteful display to beat HB Koge 1-0 in their Women's Champions League opener at Meadow Park, needing a 93rd-minute Mariona Caldentey penalty to see off a resolute Danish side.

Despite dominating possession throughout, Arsenal struggled to find a breakthrough against Koge's disciplined defensive block. A Chloe Kelly finish was ruled out by VAR for a Stina Blackstenius offside earlier in the game, and chance after chance went begging as the hosts grew increasingly frustrated at Boreham Wood.

The breakthrough finally arrived deep into stoppage time when Yukina Sakabe fouled substitute Selina Cerci inside the box, and Caldentey stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick. "It was a mentality and resilience win today," said Arsenal boss Renee Slegers. "The football didn't give us the win, but we get the goal as a squad."