Liverpool secure FA Cup upset over Arsenal after Van Domselaar own goal | OneFootball

Liverpool completed the upset of the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals with a battling 1-0 victory against Arsenal. A 78th-minute winner – a rebounded own goal off the unfortunate Daphne van Domselaar – sent the Reds through to the semi-finals for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

Amber Whiteley, the interim manager, hailed her side’s performance after a disruptive 10 days since the departure of Matt Beard.

“I am so pleased for everyone today,” Whiteley said. “They’ve put in so much the last couple of weeks. [There was a] big change. We’ve changed the system. They’ve had to take on a lot of information in a short space of time and the way that they’ve implemented it last week and today … they’ve just been outstanding.

“I thought we were brilliant from start to finish. We were so well organised. Off the ball, we really limited their chances in front of goal. I think Rachael Laws only made one save. I think we threatened them. We had good opportunities and I think we deserve to be in the hat for the next round.”

Whiteley was able to name an unchanged lineup from the 1-0 league win against Crystal Palace the previous week and the consistency in personnel served them well. The Arsenal manager, Renée Slegers, made three changes with the introduction of Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross. The Gunners were unable to call on Chloe Kelly with the England international being cup-tied.

Liverpool’s gameplan and intense press proved disruptive from the first whistle with Arsenal struggling to get any foothold in the game. The visitors’ application in closing down the central midfield spaces was so successful that the hosts failed to register a shot on target in the first half.

Whiteley’s side looked promising when they had the opportunity to go forward. Olivia Smith proved a handful throughout with her pace stretching the Arsenal defence. She produced the first attempt of the match in a quiet and scrappy opening period as both sides traded possession.

Chances were few and far between throughout the first half and a series of fouls caused more disruption to the play. Marie Höbinger was perhaps lucky to remain on the pitch when she clattered into Mead having already received a booking.

The best opportunity fell to the visitors just before the break when Sophie Román Haug easily intercepted a clearing pass from Van Domselaar. The Norway forward, however, fired her attempt straight back at the goalkeeper, the only shot on target before the whistle.

Slegers made a half-time change to try to breathe energy into her side with Frida Maanum entering for a wounded Mead. For a brief spell, she looked to have made an impact, providing Arsenal with a creative outlet and forcing Rachael Laws into a couple of saves. The hosts were far from their best, however, and soon Liverpool wrestled back control.

As the clock ticked down and extra time loomed, they took their opportunity when it came. The ball came to Román Haug, who controlled perfectly in the box. Her instinctive half-volley looked to have agonisingly hit the post but a stroke of good fortune meant the rebounded ball hit the back of Van Domselaar before heading into the net. The Dutch keeper had her head in her hands but there was little she could have done.

A roll of the dice from Slegers brought a series of late changes, including sending the defender Amanda Ilestedt up front, but to little effect. Jubilant scenes ensued among the visitors after a difficult few weeks. A semi-final at Chelsea awaits them in April, an opportunity for a place in their first FA Cup final since 1996.

Header image: [Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters]