HOFFENHEIM scored three goals in four minutes to embarrass Arsenal in the Champions League – but the Gunners still qualified from their group.
Chantal Hagel scored twice as the German side capitalised on some rare sloppy passing to punish the WSL leaders.
3
3
Hoffenheim needed to beat the visitors by at least five clear goals to leapfrog to second and knock the Gunners out.
But Jonas Eidevall’s aces overcame the wobble to book their place in the competition’s final eight with league rivals Chelsea facing Wolfsburg on Thursday.
Arsenal had a couple of decent chances to go 1-0 up early.
Vivianne Miedema sending a shot narrowly wide of the post 15 minutes in following a Beth Mead cross.
The hosts then took the lead through 19-year-old Jule Brand, who coolly slotted home after a well-timed pass from Gia Corley.
Arsenal levelled minutes before halftime with Mana Iwabuchi forcing an own goal from Laura Weinrother following Martina Tufekovic’s save of a thumping Mead shot.
Most read in Champions League
The second half saw Hoffenheim turn up the heat to stun the visitors with three rapid goals.
Chantall Hagel put the Germans ahead in the 55th minute as the Gunners conceded possession.
Sarai Linder whipped in a low cross for her team-mate to poke the ball home.
Hagel notched her second moments later, intercepting a Jen Beattie pass to put the hosts 3-1 up.
And Gia Corley – who had been one of Hoffenheim’s biggest threats in attack – headed in their fourth following a 59th-minute cross from a Brand.
The quickfire trio left Hoffenheim needing two goals with 30 minutes to play, but Arsenal regained their composure to shut up shop.
The Gunners had a chance to pull one back with Miedema heading the ball over the bar in the 72nd minute.
And the Netherlands star and Jordan Nobbs forced a classy double save from Tufekovic in the game’s final moments before Hoffenheim bowed out of the competition.
3
