Maanum stunner inspires Arsenal turnaround against Bayern, Barca ease past Roma into semi-finals

Arsenal defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 at Emirates Stadium to complete a 2-1 turnaround on aggregate and reach the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League.

Trailing to a Lea Schuller header from last week’s first leg, Frida Maanum fired in a sensational 20-yard effort to level up the tie within 20 minutes of Wednesday’s return game.

Stina Blackstenius powered in a header six minutes later to give Arsenal the lead in the tie for the first time in front of the 21,307 watching spectators in north London.

Jonas Eidevall’s side missed chances to kill off the tie, but they saw out the victory to set up a meeting with the winners of Thursday’s tie between Paris Saint-Germain and Wolfsburg.

20′ @FMaanum sends a worldie into the top corner.

26′ @SBlackstenius rises highest to double the Gunners’ lead. #UWCL // @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/2pkDt8OSya

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) March 29, 2023

Barcelona earlier booked their spot in the semi-finals, where either Chelsea or Lyon await, with a commanding 5-1 win over Roma at Camp Nou sealing a 6-1 aggregate victory.

Two-goal Fridolina Rolfo scored either side of Maria Leon’s curler to put Barca, who finished runners-up to Lyon last season, out of sight before half-time.

Asisat Oshoala tapped in a fourth a minute after the restart and Patricia Guijarro headed in from a corner to complete the rout.

Competition debutants Roma registered a couple of attempts on target in the remaining 40 minutes, but it was plain sailing for Barca in their quest for a second European crown.