Arsenal Women opened their 2026/27 UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase with a 1-0 win over HB Køge at Meadow Park on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, after Mariona Caldentey converted an injury-time penalty.
For long spells it felt like a night that would end goalless. Renée Slegers’ side pinned the Danish visitors back, stacked chances and still could not find the net until stoppage time. When substitute Selina Cerci was fouled in the box, Caldentey rolled the spot-kick into the bottom left and the home stand finally exhaled.
A disallowed opener and a stubborn Køge
Arsenal thought the breakthrough had arrived early. Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord worked the left, Chloe Kelly finished into the far corner, and Meadow Park rose. VAR pulled it back: Stina Blackstenius was judged offside and interfering with goalkeeper Alberte Vingum.
That set the tone. Frida Maanum struck cleanly from distance and from cutbacks. Kelly’s crosses kept finding blue shirts. Cooney-Cross dragged a long shot wide. Køge barely threatened before the break, but Vingum and a packed defence made every Arsenal touch in the box look heavy.
Late pressure, then Cerci wins the pen
Slegers turned to the bench. Alessia Russo came on at half-time. Caldentey and Lisa Baum followed. Cerci and Olivia Smith arrived later as the hosts chased a finish. Steph Catley’s free-kick was tipped onto the roof of the net. A corner clipped the bar. Leah Williamson volleyed over. The clock kept moving.
In the 92nd minute Cerci finally forced the error, driving into the area until she was brought down. Caldentey took responsibility and scored. It was the only goal of Arsenal’s league-phase opener.
What the three points are worth
Arsenal needed the win after a stuttering Women’s Super League start of five points from three matches. Eight changes from Saturday’s late draw with Manchester United kept legs fresh for the Chelsea trip still ahead. Køge, back in the competition proper for the first time since 2021/22, leave with a near-miss and proof they can survive long stretches against a domestic champion.
Caldentey’s late penalty is Arsenal’s first league-phase result of the campaign: three points, one goal, and a Meadow Park full-time whistle that finally went their way.
