In the evening’s earlier fixture, Bayern Munich struck twice in the closing stages to secure a 2-1 victory on the night and a 5-3 aggregate win over Manchester United, booking their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2021.

Arsenal will face either Lyon or Wolfsburg in the last four, while Bayern Munich are set to meet the winner of Barcelona or Real Madrid. Barcelona hold a commanding 6-2 aggregate lead, while Wolfsburg carry a narrow 1-0 advantage into Thursday’s second legs. despite suffering a 1-0 defeat in Wednesday’s second-leg clash at Stamford Bridge.

Needing to overturn the deficit, Chelsea began the match at a high tempo, though their efforts were not helped by a late red card for head coach Sonia Bompastor.

Arsenal quickly disrupted the hosts’ rhythm, with Chelsea failing to register a shot on target in the first half as the visitors controlled the tempo and managed the game effectively.

The contest opened up after the break, but the decisive moments came in the closing stages as Chelsea pushed forward in search of a way back into the tie.

Substitute Stina Blackstenius thought she had scored in the 80th minute, heading in from a cross by fellow Swede Smilla Holmberg, only for the goal to be ruled out following a VAR check for offside in the build-up.

Chelsea continued to press, with Veerle Buurman hitting the post before Sjoeke Nuesken was denied by an outstanding save from Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who tipped her header onto the woodwork.

At the other end, Beth Mead struck the post in stoppage time before Nuesken finally found the net in the 94th minute, finishing first-time to set up a tense finale.

Tempers flared late on when Arsenal’s Katie McCabe escaped punishment for pulling Alyssa Thompson’s hair during a counter-attack, sparking protests from the Chelsea bench that led to Bompastor being sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

In the evening’s earlier fixture, Bayern Munich struck twice in the closing stages to secure a 2-1 victory on the night and a 5-3 aggregate win over Manchester United, booking their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2021.

Arsenal will face either Lyon or Wolfsburg in the last four, while Bayern Munich are set to meet the winner of Barcelona or Real Madrid. Barcelona hold a commanding 6-2 aggregate lead, while Wolfsburg carry a narrow 1-0 advantage into Thursday’s second legs.