Under the lights at Jean-Bouin, Paris FC turned a difficult European night into a celebration, recovering from two goals down to draw with Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League.
Key takeaways
- Paris FC drew 2-2 with Arsenal in the second round of the Women’s Champions League.
- Sandrine Soubeyrand’s side were 2-0 behind by the 50th minute before their late recovery.
- Clara Mateo began the comeback with a counter-attacking goal in the 72nd minute.
- Maeline Mendy converted an unusual penalty in the 87th minute to secure Paris FC’s first point of the campaign.
- More than 11,000 spectators attended at Jean-Bouin, where 13,000 tickets had been sold or distributed.
Paris FC find a way back against European champions
It was Paris FC’s return home to the competition after a punishing 5-2 defeat away to Barcelona in their opening match last week. Their second European assignment appeared to be heading in the same direction when Arsenal, winners of the 2025 Women’s Champions League after beating Barcelona 1-0, established a 2-0 advantage.
The Gunners, also semi-finalists last season, had their two-goal lead by the 50th minute. But Paris FC stayed in the contest and found momentum late on.
Mateo struck in the 72nd minute after a well-executed break, cutting the deficit and giving the hosts a route back into the match. The equaliser arrived three minutes from time in circumstances rarely seen at this level.
An extraordinary penalty seals a first point
Arsenal’s goalkeeper played a goal-kick pass to an English team-mate inside the penalty area, but the outfield player then stopped the ball with her hand. The referee ruled that the goalkeeper’s pass had put the ball in play, making the handling offence punishable by a penalty.
Mendy stepped up in the 87th minute and converted, bringing Paris FC level at 2-2. The result gives Soubeyrand’s team their first point of this season’s Champions League campaign.
The evening drew a significant crowd for the occasion. Antoine Arnault, representing his family’s ownership of the club, was in attendance, alongside former France internationals Lilian Thuram and Robert Pires, Brazilian great Raï and ex-basketball player Ronny Turiaf.
At full time, Paris FC’s players celebrated with a lap of honour, sharing a hard-earned point with supporters who had watched them refuse to fold against one of Europe’s leading sides.
