World Cup standout and Sydney FC legend Caitlin Foord will not be playing in the Champions League this season after Arsenal’s dramatic defeat to Paris FC in last weekend’s qualifying final.
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Arsenal vs Paris FC
Two quick goals in the 56th and 57th minutes put Paris FC 2-0 up against the Gunners. In response, the manager made a bold 59th-minute substitution, taking off four Arsenal starters, including Caitlin Foord. Fellow Matilda Steph Catley also started the match and was substituted out during extra time.
The change proved to be a much-needed wake-up call for the English side. Alessia Russo pulled a goal back for Arsenal in the 80th minute before Jen Beattie equalised in the 96th minute to force extra time. Paris FC took a 3-2 lead early in extra time before Russo equalised again to make it 3-3.
The match went to penalties, where Paris FC goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved back-to-back shots to keep Arsenal out of the competition despite their comeback.
Caitlin Foord continues World Cup form
Just three days before the Paris match, Foord opened the scoring and set up another as Arsenal defeated Linköping 3-0 to book their place in the qualifying final. Her goal was Arsenal’s 300th in European competition.
The match came less than three weeks after Foord’s historic World Cup campaign with the Matildas.
Despite Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley’s best efforts, Arsenal’s Champions League journey is over. The club will now focus on the Women’s Super League title when the new season kicks off on October 1.
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Among the world’s best
Caitlin Foord will undoubtedly be disappointed to drop out of the Champions League after her World Cup heroics.
Foord has been a standout performer for club and country, netting 12 goal contributions in the league (second-most for Arsenal) and six times in Europe (joint ninth-most in the competition) last season, as well as three times in the 2023 World Cup (tied for most in the Matildas).
Foord’s outstanding performances have earned her a reputation as one of the best players in the women’s game. This week, she was named in the sixteen-player shortlist for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year alongside Matildas Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr.
The talismanic forward will lead the line for Arsenal as they challenge Kerr’s Chelsea in the Women’s Super League.
Published 16 September 2023