Freddie Cardy
Arsenal Women are Conti Cup champions for the seventh time.
Stina Blackstenius' 116th minute strike was all that separated the Gunners and Chelsea, in a game that was overshadowed by Frida Maanum being stretchered off towards the end of normal time.
if the dance floor at my wedding doesn’t look like this at the end of the night i don’t want it pic.twitter.com/yB4DgLX8MC
— lucy (@nayasrivera2) March 31, 2024
Blackstenius, speaking to BBC Sport after scoring the winner, said of Maanum: "It's always really hard. She's a team-mate and a friend to all of us. We care so much about her. You worry a bit when stuff like this happens.
"We said we wanted to do this for her, to get this win for her because she couldn't be with us at that point."
Arsenal confirmed that Maanum is conscious, stable and talking, after she collapsed on the pitch in the 97th minute.
The 24-year-old received oxygen through a mask as she was carried off the pitch at Molineux, but Arsenal were able to issue a positive update by the start of extra time.
Alessia Russo said afterwards that it was "written in the stars" that Maanum's "best mate" Blackstenius scored the winner, as Arsenal beat Chelsea in the final for a second year in a row.
The video you’ve been waiting for…The moment we lifted the cup! ?2024 CONTI CUP CHAMPIONS ?? pic.twitter.com/m4A4v5vaRn
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) March 31, 2024
