Paris FC found an extraordinary route back into their Champions League night at Jean-Bouin, turning a two-goal deficit into a 2-2 draw against Arsenal after a handball nobody in the stadium seemed prepared for.
An unlikely penalty changes the match
Arsenal appeared to be in control in Wednesday’s second matchday of the Women’s Champions League league phase, leading 2-0 before Paris FC mounted their late response. The decisive moment came in the 86th minute, with the visitors’ advantage already under pressure.
- Arsenal goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez was preparing to take a goal kick after the ball had gone out.
- Instead of sending the ball long, Rodriguez played a short pass to Leah Williamson.
- Williamson believed play had not yet restarted and picked up the ball inside the penalty area to place it on the six-yard line.
- The Romanian referee ruled that Rodriguez’s pass had put the ball back in play and awarded Paris FC a penalty.
- Maeline Mendy converted from the spot in the 87th minute.
The penalty completed Paris FC’s comeback and left Arsenal with only a point from a match they had once led by two goals.
Soubeyrand embraces a gift from fate
Paris FC coach Sandrine Soubeyrand admitted that she had never encountered such an incident during her own playing career, while welcoming the break her side received.
“I had never seen an action like that when I was a player,” Soubeyrand said. “In my time, we did not try to build up like that from the back. It is surprising at this level. There was some pressure, with the stadium pushing them on, and that can cause mistakes. Of course, we will take it.”
The draw was snatched late, but Paris FC’s resistance and the crowd’s pressure helped create the conditions for Arsenal’s costly misunderstanding. At Jean-Bouin, one mistaken assumption with the ball in hand changed the entire finish.
