Champions League qualification: Frankfurt’s women win penalty thriller against Turin

The Eintracht Frankfurt women have survived the first qualifying round for the Champions League. They won dramatically on penalties against Turin.

The dream of the group stage of the Champions League lives on: Eintracht Frankfurt Women defeated Juventus Turin 5-4 on penalties on Saturday in the final of the mini-tournament, which serves as the first qualifying round. In regular time, which ended 1-1, Sofia Cantore gave Juventus the lead (48th minute), and Lara Prasnikar equalized (66th).

Not much going on in the first half

The story of the first half can be told quickly: Eintracht tried to maintain control and, especially at the beginning, were often dangerous towards the goal, but without creating a big chance. Juventus was lurking at the other end and had the greatest opportunity in the 37th minute when Pia-Sophie Wolter was just able to clear the ball in front of Lineth Beerensteyn, who was ready to shoot.

The second half, however, started quickly: Eintracht keeper Stina Johannes was able to fend off a shot from a corner, but she was powerless to stop Cantore’s follow-up shot – Juventus led 1-0 (48′). The Frankfurters now urgently needed a goal. Prasnikar, Scorer of the only goal in the semi-final against Slováckotried a long-range shot, but it was easy prey for Juventus goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (56′).

Anyomi plays Prasnikar free – goal

Ten minutes later it worked: Nicole Anyomi won the ball in a running duel and passed it across to Prasnikar, who slotted in to make it 1-1. Afterwards, Juventus continued to focus on defense and Eintracht barely got through. Consequently, in Frankfurt’s late summer heat, the game went into extra time.

And in that, Eintracht clearly had the upper hand. Barbara Dunst hit the crossbar with a remarkable shot from 17 meters (94′). Laura Freigang was also unlucky: her lob over the rushing Peyraud-Magnin landed in front of the goal and also bounced onto the crossbar instead of into the net (101′). Overall, however, the superiority brought nothing, so it came to the ultimate showdown: penalty shootout.

Johannes holds on against Beerensteyn and Nyström

Freigang and Sophia Kleinherne converted for Eintracht and Estelle Cascarino hit the post for Juve. But the advantage was quickly lost again when Verena Hanshaw and Tanja Pawollek missed. Then Johannes’ hour came: First she held against Beerensteyn, who could have already decided the game. Finally, Paulina Nyström also failed because of Eintracht’s goalkeeper, who started the party.

On the way to the group stage of the Champions League, the Frankfurt team now has to survive another round. It will be played in a play-off format with two legs in October. The draw will take place on September 15th (1 p.m.).