UWCL: Arsenal thrash Rangers to set up clash with Rosenborg

There are a whole host of Women’s Champions League fixtures kicking off on Wednesday involving top European sides.

Here’s what happened.

Arsenal thrash Rangers thanks to Foord Hat-trick

Scorers: Foord 16′, 59′, 70′, 89′ Russo 60′, Little 86′

Catlin Foord grabbed a hat-trick as Arsenal swept aside Rangers to set up a tie with Rosenborg on Saturday as they look to reach the second round of qualifying for the UWCL.

The Gunners and their new signing got off to a perfect start as debutant Mariona Caldentey’s cross was met by a header from Caitlin Foord to open the scoring.

Arsenal dominated the remainder of the first half but could not find a second goal to put the game to bed and headed into the interval just one goal to the good.

Just before the hour mark though, they finally managed to grab a second via the same route, with Foord latching onto a pass from Kim Little to poke the ball home.

As soon as it was two it became three, with Alessio Russo firing past Victoria Esson from the edge of the penalty area to put the tie to bed.

Ten minutes later, Catlin Foord completed her hat-trick with an excellent volley as she met a cross from Katie McCabe to bag her third, and Arsenal’s fourth.

There was still time for Rangers to concede a penalty when McCabe was felled in the box from a corner, and Kim Little lashed the ball into the roof of the net. To make matters worse, Foord grabbed her fourth in the final moments of the game to wrap up an excellent second half for the Gunners, and set up a surprise clash in the next round.

Rosenborg win dramatic penalty shoot out to advance to the next round

Scorers: Fiamma 20′, Lauren 119′; Holum 90+1, Tomter 105+1

A dramatic 2-2 draw between Atlético de Madrid and Rosenborg after extra time saw Rosenborg sensationally go through via a penalty shoot-out.

The Spanish side got off to a commanding start when Fiamma headed home at the back post to put her side ahead.

Rasheedat Ajibade was unlucky not to add to the scoreline when her shot was turned onto the post by Rosenborg goalkeeper Rugile Rulyte.

It seemed like Atleti were on course to advance, but were made to pay for their missed chances when a stoppage time header from forward Rebecka Holum put the tie into extra time.

A mistake from goalkeeper Lola Gallardo from a Rosenborg free-kick allowed Andrine Totner to stab the ball over the line just before the break in extra time, putting the Norwegians ahead for the first time in the game.

Synne Jensen almost found the equaliser for the Spanish side as Rosenborg were tiring and it was Brazilian defender Lauren who came up with a last-minute header to send the tie to penalties.

Atleti’s Rosa Otermin had her spot-kick saved, which was cancelled out by a miss from Beate Marcussen. Tatiana Pinto then missed another penalty for Atlético, and when Andrea Medina stepped up, she knew she had to score to keep her side in it.

Her miss was Atléti’s third of the shootout, and Rosenborg went through without having to take their fifth penalty.

The Norwegians will now face the winner of Arsenal’s match with Rangers in the second round.

Ajax survive scare from Kolos Kovalivka to advance after extra time

Scorers: Tian 26′; Hoekstra 65′, Keukelaar 95′, Noordman 109′, Sabajo 113′

Ajax survived an early scare from Ukranian side Kolos Kovalivka to deliver a 4-1 win after extra time.

The Dutch side to come from behind with a header from Tiny Hoekstra putting them back on level terms after Violeta Tian had given Kolvalivka the lead after 26 minutes.

Danique went close to putting Ajax ahead, but ultimately Hesterine de Reus’ side could not find another goal in normal time, and so an extra 30 minutes beckoned.

Into extra time, and it only took five minutes for Lotte Keukelaar to put Ajax in the lead, as a powerful finish slammed in between the goalkeeper and the near post.

An anxious afternoon turned into plain sailing when Danique Noordman netted a third for Ajax on a follow-up from a shot from just outside the box.

Quinty Sabajo scored the fouth just four minutes later, sending last season’s quarter-finalists comfortably through in the end.

Paris FC demolish First Vienna

Scorers: Bordieu 5′, 40’55’, Dufour 43′, 46′, Thiney 52′ Bussy 88′ 90+2′, Corboz 90′

Paris FC skipped through to the second round with a complete demolition of First Vienna, winning by an 9-0 scoreline

A 55-minute hat-trick from Mathilde Bordieu was followed up by a brace from Kessya Bussy as the stunning victory was sealed.

Noonan hat-trick puts Celtic through in extra time win

Scorers: Ariyo 18′; Noonan 64′, 91′, 97′

Celtic made it through to the second round, but had to come from behind to beat Finnish opposition KuPS, with a 3-1 extra time win.

They were behind when Mathilde Carstens lost the ball cheaply in midfield, which mean Celtic’s defence could not get back in time to prevent a low strike from Rose Ariyo hitting the bottom corner.

Only a top-class save from Kelsey Daugherty prevented KuPS doubling their lead, but just after the hour mark, Saoirse Noonan delivered the equaliser when the goalkeeper tried an failed to parry the initial ball in.

With both sides only having one shot on target each during the 90 minutes, the tie headed to extra-time.

Celtic got off to a flyer in the first minute of the additional period, with Noonan firing home her second from close range.

It was the perfect time to deliver a hat-trick and the Hoops were flying into the second round with the turnaround complete.

Late goal dispels any nerves as Sporting edge out Eintract Frankfurt

Scorers: Neto 13′, Borges 90+4

Portugal star Cláudia Neto was once again the difference-maker as Sporting saw out a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 36-year-old, who has 136 caps for her national side, joined the Portuguese club in 2022 from Fiorentina, and that valuable experience has paid off.

Lifting her shot over goalkeeper Stina Johannes, Frankfurt could find no reply as Sporting make it through to round two with an addition of a second goal with the last kick of the game.

Benfica cruise through with comprehensive win over Nordsjælland

Scorers: Martín-Prieto 23′, 45+2, Raysla 39′; Walter 56′

A brace from former Sevilla forward Cristina Martín-Prieto helped Benfica to advance with a 3-1 win over Nordsjælland.

Brazilian Nycole Raysla also netted for Benfica, while the Danish side looked like they could’ve mounted a comeback when Anna Walter pulled one back just before the hour mark.

That turned out to be little more than a consolation through, as the Portuguese side marched through to Round Two.

Bonfantini sends Fiorentina through to next round

Scorers: Bonfantini 39′

Experienced forward Agnese Bonfantini scored the winner for for Fiorentina as they registered a 1-0 win over Brondby.

Bonfantini represented Roma, Juventus, Sampdoria and Inter before making the move to Florence and she has proved once again how influential she can be.

Defeated teams will go into a playoff, with games scheduled for September 7th, with the second round draw to take place on September 9th.