Match report: Arsenal 2-0 Fiorentina (6-0 agg)

WHAT HAPPENED

We progressed to the last 16 of the Women’s Champions League after a 6-0 aggregate victory over Fiorentina.  

Kim Little gave us the lead on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot and Vivianne Miedema scored with 15 minutes remaining to put the tie to bed with a 2-0 win on the night.

The first chance of the evening came when Danielle van de Donk found Little with a neat through ball but our captain couldn’t direct her half-volley on target.

Beth Mead was causing problems down the right-hand side and delivered an inviting ball into the box which Miedema uncharacteristically sliced wide. 

Van de Donk came close to opening the scoring when her strike flew off target and Mead thought she’d opened the scoring when slotting home, but she was judged to be offside. 

Three minutes before half-time we were awarded a penalty for a handball inside the box and Little sent Francesca Durante the wrong way from the spot to give us a commanding aggregate lead.

Mead again caused issues for the Fiorentina backline in the second half when her sublime skill allowed her to drive towards the touchline, but her low cross was turned behind. 

Greta Adami had the visitors’ best chance of the evening but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin was able to hold her effort from the edge of the box. 

Miedema doubled our advantage on the night when a fortunate deflection rolled into her path and she made no mistake when firing home. 

Substitute Jordan Nobbs almost added a gloss to the evening but her speculative effort from range flew just wide.

WHAT IT MEANS

We progress to the last 16 of the Women’s Champions League for the first time since 2013/14.

The last-16 draw takes place on Monday at 12pm and will be streamed live on Uefa’s website.

WHAT’S NEXT

We next face Brighton & Hove Albion at Meadow Park on Sunday, September 29 in the Women’s Super League at 12:30pm (UK time).t

By Sam Cox