Image source, Getty Images

How entertaining was that?

Injury-ravaged Arsenal could scarcely have come any closer to being a penalty shoot-out away from the Champions League final.

They were edged out by opponents who showed their grit and class to prevail away from home against Women's Super League title contenders in front of a record-breaking crowd.

Arsenal are back in action on Friday when they host Leicester City in the league. Second-placed domestically, Wolfsburg have their own title race to settle before facing the most feared side in Europe when they take on Barcelona in the Champions League final on 3 June.

In the meantime, enjoy Emma Sanders' report on an extraordinary evening at Emirates Stadium.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal have now won only one of their past seven UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final ties, last doing so when they beat Brondby before going on to win the competition in 2007.

They're also winless in all but one of their 14 most recent games in the semi-finals and have failed to beat Wolfsburg in any of their six attempts.

For the She-Wolves, it's one defeat in their past 16 Women’s Champions League matches, which bodes well for their meeting in the final with the team who beat them in last season's semi-finals.

Image source, Rex Features

The opponents lying in wait in the final in Eindhoven on 3 June look like a daunting proposition even for a team as talented as Wolfsburg.

Having sealed a 2-1 aggregate win over Chelsea after the second leg of their semi-final on Thursday, Barcelona won the Spanish top flight yesterday by beating Sporting Huelva 3-0 for the 26th victory of a perfect league season so far.

Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas made her first appearance after nearly 10 months out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury as a late substitute, later returning to the pitch holding the Primera Division trophy.

Barcelona are top of Uefa's rankings and in the final for the third successive season. They have, however, only won the Champions League once, overcoming Chelsea in the 2020-21 showpiece.

Rachel Corsie
Scotland and Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's been a fantastic run from Arsenal to get this far and it is heartbreaking when you do get this far and it isn't quite enough.

Ultimately, nobody remembers who was in the semi-final or even the final. You want to be the ones lifting the trophy.

Over two legs, they've given it a fantastic effort - but unfortunately, it is another year when they've fallen short.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius speaking to Dazn: "I feel empty, at the moment. It was a very tough game and it's tough to concede a goal like that, but I'm so proud of how the team has done in the Champions League.

"We've come back in so many games and gone so close to the final. I'm so proud but it's so tough to take.

"It's amazing to score a goal in front of a record crowd. I felt something in my quad that meant I couldn't keep going, so I'm disappointed about that.

"We have a lot more to give. This will give us a lot of confidence: now we know what we really can achieve with this team. Considering how much we have gone through this season, to be able to play a game like this and go this close to a Champions League final.

"I know we can do this next season and keep going in the league."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's players have been on a lap of honour around the pitch.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Gilly Flaherty
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

As a fellow defender, I've been there.

Last year, in the FA Cup semi-final for West Ham [v Man City], I played a ball across the pitch to Ellen White. Essentially, I got an assist [for the opposition] - and I'm still devastated by that one.

But for me, Zinsberger has to take responsibility as well. She's put Wubben-Moy in that [difficult] situation.

It's about game management. Senior players have got to help younger players. Wubben-Moy hasn't got that Champions League experience, so her teammates have got to help her out.

That mistake has, sadly, cost them a place in the final. Wolfsburg will go through having been given a goal by Arsenal.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

Wolfsburg midfielder Jill Roord speaking to Dazn: "It was a tough game with extra time. I thought it was going to go to penalties but we won.

"Credit to Arsenal, they've been through a lot as a team but they made it super hard. At the end they could have won, we could have won. We were the lucky ones.

"Rest a bit, celebrate a bit and I'm looking forward to playing the final in my home country. Absolutely [we believe we can beat Barcelona]. It's obviously going to be a tough game but it's 90 minutes, anything can happen."

Image source, Getty Images

Rachel Corsie
Scotland and Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

You can see Lotte Wubben-Moy is devastated. Leah Williamson and Vivianne Miedema have come straight onto the pitch to console her, and others are gathering around her too.

She is going to hurt, naturally. On this stage, with how big this game was, it's horrible for one player to feel personally responsible.

An incredible effort from Arsenal, who had so many players injured and missing but didn't use it as an excuse. They gave it everything.

In the end, it could have been anyone's to win.

Image source, PA Media

Gilly Flaherty
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's heartbreaking for Wubben-Moy, as it is her mistake that leads to the goal.

I'm watching Arsenal play out from the back and thinking,'What are you doing? You don't need to play yourselves into danger!'

But Wolfsburg still had a lot to do to get it in the net.

Wolfsburg will play Barcelona in the Champions League final on 3 June in Eindhoven!

The largest ever crowd at a women's club game in England were rewarded with a sensational contest - but it's excruciating for the team most of those supporters came to support.

Against two-time champions and opponents they had never beaten, Arsenal ignited their dream of making the final, only to concede in the 119th minute.

It finishes 5-4 on aggregate!

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal player Jill Roord makes way for Rebecka Blomqvist.

The Gunners look crestfallen at conceding that goal, as well they might.

There will be three minutes of added time.

Michelle Agyemang makes her European debut in place of Jen Beattie. She'll never forget tonight if she can rescue Arsenal's Champions League season.

Arsenal have to go for it now, inevitably leaving space at the back.

Tabea Wasmuth breaks free to the right of centre, enters the penalty area and chips a shot wide of the far post.

Rachel Corsie
Scotland and Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

We all can be so glad that we have seen a brilliant semi-final.

Two great clubs, stacked with great,great players. There are international players, players who have played in finals and won major tournaments.

These are some of the best women's footballers that you will see. That doesn't always guarantee you a good game or tie, but they have delivered in both.

Arsenal rattle the crossbar!

Wolfsburg clear the hosts' free-kick from the right and Katie McCabe builds again from the left, swinging a cross-shot into the penalty area that wobbles the woodwork and arrows away.

The home fans can't believe it!

Alex Popp returns to her feet after receiving treatment, then Felicitas Rauch is booked for a clumsy aerial challenge on Katie McCabe, giving Arsenal a free-kick in a useful position on the right.

Wolfsburg should have scored!

Pauline Bremer climbs to her feet following a tussle inside the penalty area and looks up to take aim at goal in space.

The substitute sends her shot wide of the far post. That was an excellent chance. Will the She-Wolves rue it?

Image source, Getty Images

Frida Maanum blazes a tired-looking shot over the target from inside the penalty area on the right.

Jen Beattie - unsurprisingly, given her efforts - has cramp.