Injury hit Arsenal produced a remarkable fightback in their Champions League semi-final first leg at Wolfsburg to salvage a 2-2 draw.
Goals from Rafaelle and the excellent Stina Blackstenius ensured the visitors will head back to North London on level terms in the tie and will now fancy their chances of reaching a first European final since 2007. Wolfsburg, who dumped the Gunners out at the quarter-final stage last season, were far sharper in the early stages. Forward Ewa Pajor broke the deadlock within 19 minutes after firing past Manuela Zinsberger following a flowing move.
A nightmare at the back gifted the Germans a second, Rafaelle playing the ball beyond Jen Beattie and straight to Sveindis Jane Jonsdóttir who slotted home easily. But the Brazilian defender made amends with a wonderful back post header right on half-time, to give Arsenal a foot in the tie.
And Blackstenius completed a superb fightback when she got on the end of Victoria Pelova's cross to level the tie with just twenty minutes to play. The tie is now perfectly poised ahead of the return leg, set for the Emirates Stadium a week tomorrow on Bank Holiday Monday.
Here are the big talking points.
Arsenal once again show refusal to quit
This Arsenal side simply don't give up. They've had plenty of setbacks this season, with injuries to Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Kim Little and now Leah Williamson.
At various stages this season, the WSL and the Champions League crowns have looked like slipping away. But Eidevall and his team always find a way to respond.
At 2-0 down in this one after barely 20 minutes the Germans looked in total control. But Arsenal maintained their composure and found a way back. Set-pieces were always likely to be a way to exploit Wolfsburg and Rafaelle's excellent header from a deep corner got them a route back into the contest.
From that moment on the tie had a different feel. It was the same in the last round when Bayern Munich scored first on aggregate - Arsenal refused to panic and eventually got their reward.
Had Frida Maanum got her late header on target, they might even had a lead to take back to North London next week. This team don't know how to give up.
Williamson absence keenly felt at the back
In the Gunners first game since the news that Leah Williamson will be out for the rest of the season with a ruptured ACL, they struggled to get to grips with the Wolfsburg attack. Arsenal were always going to find life tougher without the England skipper but will have to defend better in the second leg.
Jonas Eidevall went with Lotte Wubben-Moy and the experienced Jen Beattie in defence but both looked a tad ring rusty in the early minutes. Rafaelle joined them in a back three but the Pajor smartly exploited the space left behind Beattie to give Wolfsburg a dream start.
The visitors also struggled to build play from the back without the composure of Williamson, although Rafaelle recovered well from her error for the second goal, to give a composed display.
Wolfsburg look real deal
Arsenal were looking for revenge against the side who knocked them out of this competition last season at the quarter-final stage. But make no mistake at this level, Wolfsburg are no mugs.
Tommy Stroot's team committed plenty of players in every attack, with Lena Oberdorf and Jill Roord pulling the strings expertly in midfield. Even a full-strength Arsenal side would have found today an extremely difficult task.
The two-time winners did get fortune with the second goal, gifted to them after some seriously sloppy play at the back from Arsenal. But it summed up how every time the Gunners made an error in possession, Wolfsburg were ready to pounce.
Even in the final ten minutes the hosts had plenty of half chances, but were only let down by the final pass. Arsenal have produced some sensational performances against Lyon and Bayern already in Europe this season - but may need to find a new level in the second leg to see off the German league champions.
Eidevall can take heart from fightback ahead of second leg
It is hard not to admire the work being done by Jonas Eidevall this season, battling against such horrific luck with injuries. And the Swedish boss can take plenty of positives from how his team responded to their early setbacks.
Rafaelle's header just before the break was a deserved reward for a strong 15 minute spell from Arsenal, with Lia Walti and Katie McCabe starting to flex their creative muscles. His team won more corners across the 90 minutes and were always a threat from them, Rafaelle heading just wide only minutes after the break.
The best teams are full of character and Arsenal showed theirs the longer the game went on. An improved second half display culminated in Blackstenius making it 2-2, after excellent work from Pelova down the right.
Gunners need Foord back and firing for decider
Although Arsenal put in a brave performance in the second half, the current injury crisis means Eidevall had limited options on the bench. Katie McCabe and Victoria Pelova were two the Gunners' better performers this afternoon in the wide areas, both providing assists for goals.
But the team needs more attacking bodies for the decisive second leg, with both looking fatigued in the closing stages. In particular, Caitlin Foord's return could potentially turn the tie.
The Aussie forward was outstanding over both legs against Bayern Munich, playing a huge role in Arsenal eventually progressing. If she is on the teamsheet at the Emirates a week tomorrow, or even just on the bench, it could potentially be the difference Arsenal need to reach the final.
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