An extra-time goal from forward Stina Blackstenius helped Arsenal secure a 1-0 victory to win the Conti Cup final for a second straight year, again defeating Chelsea and ending Emma Hayes’ hopes of completing a quadruple in her final season at the club.
The game was halted for nine minutes in the final stages of the second half after Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum collapsed to the ground and was carried off on a stretcher.
An Arsenal spokesperson told ESPN that Maanum is “conscious, talking and in a stable condition” and continuing to receive medical treatment.
After the match, Arsenal forward Alessia Russo, who replaced Maanum, said the team dedicated the goal to Maanum.
“Obviously it is devastating seeing one of your teammates go down like that and we hope that she is ok.
“I think it was written in the stars that her best mate went and scored the winner for her. Frida is a massive player and plays with every single bit of her body, she did that again today and we just hope she is ok.”
The result ends Chelsea’s bid to lifting all four trophies in Hayes’ final season before she leaves to take charge of the United States women’s national team. Chelsea remain in a closely fought WSL title race with Manchester City, as well as upcoming semifinal ties in both the Women’s FA Cup and Women’s Champions League.
It also marks a third straight season in which Chelsea have fallen at the final hurdle in the Conti Cup, after losing to City in the 2022 final before falling to Arsenal in last year’s finale.
The crowd of 21,462 at Molineux marked a record for the Conti Cup final.
In an even first half short on chances, Mayra Ramírez thought she had given Chelsea the lead in the 21st minute with a superb shot from outside the box, but the goal was disallowed as Erin Cuthbert had handled the ball in the build-up.
Cuthbert inadvertently provided Arsenal with a great chance midway through the second half, coughing up possession in midfield and allowing Arsenal to go on the counter, but Cloe Lacasse‘s shot was straight at Hannah Hampton.
Chelsea’s Lauren James almost grabbed a winner in the 85th minute, cutting in from the left and aiming for the far corner but Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger steered the ball to safety with her foot.
Maanum collapsed minutes later, prompting anxious players and fans to urge medics onto the field to treat her, and after a long delay the Norway international was replaced by Russo as the game resumed, finishing scoreless minutes later.
Both teams wasted some decent chances in extra time until Blackstenius was set up by teammate Caitlin Foord, and took a touch before blasting home from close range to ensure Arsenal retained the title.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.