Arsenal 1-0 FC Twente result – UEFA Women’s Champions League latest as Beth Mead's deflected goal earns Gunners vital win in qualification bid

Beth Mead’s 11th minute deflected strike earned Arsenal an important 1-0 win against FC Twente to keep their hopes of securing a top four qualification spot alive.

After losing two of their opening four matches Renee Slegers’ side needed to win their remaining games to avoid a play-off match.

They came up against an FC Twente side needing to avoid defeat to have any chance of qualifying.

The Gunners dominated the match from the outset and Mead had an eighth minute effort cleared off the line.

The forward made no mistake minutes later with her effort taking a deflection past goalkeeper Diede Lemey and into the net.

Arsenal dominated the remainder of the first half but were met by a wall of Twente shirts as they struggled to trouble their opponents’ goal.

The second half continued in similar fashion with the Dutch visitors blocking any attempt at goal.

Striker Alessia Russo should have sealed the win with 10 minutes remaining, but could only head Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum’s cross onto the bar.

However, Twente struggled to muster a late fightback and Arsenal held on for victory.

Slegers’ side head to Leuven next week for their final group game knowing a win could secure themselves a top four spot in the group and qualify for the quarterfinals without needing a play-off.

Elsewhere, Juventus were the night's biggest winners as they ran out 5-0 victors at St Polter. Real Madrid joined them in the top four with a 2-0 win against Wolfsburg. Meanwhile, PSG were held to a goal-less draw by Leuven.

Arsenal defender Katie McCabe said that her side found it hard against a ‘compact’ Twente defence.

She told Disney+: "It was really difficult. They played a really compact sort of system.

"It was up to us to be in control of the tempo and how we move the ball and they defended with their lives.

"In the second half we put on a lot more pressure, hit the bar and the girls had a few chances.

"We got the three points which is the most important thing."

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FC Twente midfielder Jill Roord says that the ability of her home club means that ties against the likes of Arsenal are ‘difficult ties’.

The former Manchester City midfielder made the move back to the Netherlands this summer.

Roord told Disney+: "We came here as the underdog, so we wanted to stay in the game. I think that we did that very well. Obviously, we lost, but I think that was the expectation.

"I think the way we fought, I'm proud of that. I think for these girls, the Champions League is new and they don't have much experience in this competition.

"I think the results we had were much better than last season, and I think that's a good we wanted to see. These are difficult games for us, but we just want to want to stay in the game and have a chance."

It was far from convincing tonight for Arsenal but three points keeps their hopes of a top four place in the group phase alive.

The Gunners have booked a play-off spot but go into the last group game knowing they could qualify to the quarter-finals with a top four spot and avoid a play-off.

Twente are out of the competition as a defeat means they can no longer make the play-offs.

A lovely floated ball by the visitors bounces inside the box for Oude Elberink. However, goalkeeper Borbe confidently claims.

That is the final action as the full-time whistle goes as Arsenal run out 1-0 winners

Striker Blackstenius will have all of two minutes as she replaces Russo.

Twente only need one chance and they could stun wasteful Arsenal this evening. The visitors have five minutes to find it.

The Gunners looked to have opened up their visitors. Foord receives the ball in an excellent position only for her effort to be denied the body of a defender thrown at the ball.

The home side seem convinced that they deserved a penalty. Leonhardsen-Maanum is blocked inside the box and goes down. However, the defender has used her body to block the ball and it’s not a bad challenge.

The referee waves away the appeal.

Arsenal are not out of sight. The visitors create space out wide before Oude Elberink crosses for Ravensbergen whose header is easy for goalkeeper Borbe.

Fox was rested this evening but has been brought on to see this one out. She replaces Hinds.

That should have been game, set and match for Arsenal. A lovely ball by Leonhardsen-Maanum picks out the unmarked head of Russo who can only guide her effort off the crossbar.

Hulst on for Proost for Twente

Substitutes Little and Foord combine before the latter sends a menacing ball across the six-yard box. However, Russo is too slow to react and the ball whips out the opposite side of the penalty area.

Arsenal are starting to get nervous with time ticking out and the game becoming more frantic. The ball comes out onto the edge of the box for Cooney-Cross who blazes over.

For all their nice passing play and dominant in possession the Gunners are still missing that second goal.

Renee Slegers’ side seem to be missing some attacking intent.

A further Arsenal free-kick taken by McCabe drops inside the box for Russo. The striker is alert and stabs her effort at goal, only for Lemey to save.

Following her third or fourth bookable challenge of the evening Van Ginkel is eventually booked for a foul on Mead. She will have to be very careful for the remainder of the game.

An Arsenal free-kick is floated into the visitors' penalty area. The initial ball is flicked on and Russo is lurking before Lemey claims the ball as her own.

It’s the same combination which caused damage in the first half. Mead sends a lovely cross onto the head of Russo who can only glance the ball wide of the far post.