Russo goal proves the difference as Arsenal beat A-League All Stars 1-0 at Marvel

Well, that’s it. Arsenal Women beat A-League All Stars Women 1-0 at Marvel Stadium in front of 42,120 fans. It was England star Alessia Russo with the only goal of the game, a stunning header that powered her side home.

The assist came from Vivienne Lia, who found Russo eight yards out in between two All-Stars defenders.

The All Stars had a chance to equalise late through Melbourne City striker Hannah Wilkinson in the 89th minute, but young Gunners’ goalkeeper Naomi Williams produced a match-saving dive.

The A-League All Stars were forced to defend for the majority of the match as Arsenal maintained much of the possession but could only find the back of the net the once.

Australian Gunner Kyra Cooney-Cross was looked to by trainers late in the second half – with a stretcher called at one point – but ended up giggling as she walked off. Teammate Steph Catley joked the moment was just “dramatic” post-game, assuring that Cooney-Cross is OK.

Catley finished the match with her left leg strapped but said it was just groin tightness, and she’ll be all right for the Matildas’ camp next week. Caitlin Foord also ended the match unscathed.

All Stars 0 Arsenal 1, full-time.

Arsenal fans.Credit: Getty

That’s all from us tonight.

Thank you for joining us for the bumper night of global football where A-League All Stars Men beat Premier League Newcastle a whopping 8-0 before Arsenal beat A-League All Stars Women 1-0.

An exciting evening all around. We’ll see you when the Matildas head back into camp next week.

Goodnight!

Caitlin Foord waves to the crowd.Credit: Getty

The A-League and WSL seasons might be over but there is one more Aussie still on the hunt for a big trophy this week: Ellie Carpenter.

The Matildas defender will line up for Lyon when they play Barcelona in the Champions League final in Bilbao, Spain on Saturday night (local time).

If Lyon win, it will be a remarkable third European title for Carpenter, who is still only 24.

Carpenter was an unused sub in Lyon’s win over Wolfsburg in 2021. She got onto the pitch in their triumph over Barcelona in the following year’s final but ruptured her ACL early in the game.

All fingers and toes crossed for a fit and healthy Carpenter to end Saturday night with another medal around her neck. Could Paris 2024 be next?

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said the trip to Melbourne has helped Arsenal players and staff better understand what Cailtin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross go through with the constant travel halfway around the world.

“You think you know jet lag because you’ve travelled to the US a few times but it’s a totally different ball game travelling to Australia,” he said.

“And not just me but for their teammates as well [understand the jet lag better].”

The Matildas stars travel back and forth between Australia, England and other countries in international windows for national camps and tournaments.

Will Steph Catley be at the MCG on Sunday to see her beloved St Kilda take on Melbourne?

“Yes,” she said. “We haven’t been doing so well, but yes”.

Catley, a Melbourne girl and renowned Saints fans, often tries to get to games when she can, which is rare with her schedule.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Foord is straight to Adelaide for a few days ahead of the Matildas’ camp for the farewell series, where they will play China at Adelaide Oval and then over in Sydney.

Steph Catley has confirmed teammate Kyra Cooney-Cross, who was treated on the field in the second half, is OK, and was just battling some cramps. She also finished the game with a strapped left leg, which she said was a tight groin.

“No risk,” Caitlin Foord chimed in. So, all Matildas stars will be OK for the camp next week.

Steph Catley.Credit: Getty

We spoke earlier about Vivienne Lia impressing for England Under-17s and about Arsenal Academy keeper Naomi Williams.

It’s worth adding we had two England captains on the pitch tonight.

Laila Harbert captains the Under-17 Young Lionesses and Freya Godfrey the Under-19s. They were among six academy players ending this game for Arsenal.

Vivienne Lia challenges Alex Chidiac.Credit: Getty

Well, that’s it. Arsenal Women beat A-League All Stars Women 1-0 at Marvel Stadium in front of 42,120 fans. It was England star Alessia Russo with the only goal of the game, a stunning header that powered her side home.

The assist came from Vivienne Lia, who found Russo eight yards out in between two All-Stars defenders.

The All Stars had a chance to equalise late through Melbourne City striker Hannah Wilkinson in the 89th minute, but young Gunners’ goalkeeper Naomi Williams produced a match-saving dive.

The A-League All Stars were forced to defend for the majority of the match as Arsenal maintained much of the possession but could only find the back of the net the once.

Australian Gunner Kyra Cooney-Cross was looked to by trainers late in the second half – with a stretcher called at one point – but ended up giggling as she walked off. Teammate Steph Catley joked the moment was just “dramatic” post-game, assuring that Cooney-Cross is OK.

Catley finished the match with her left leg strapped but said it was just groin tightness, and she’ll be all right for the Matildas’ camp next week. Caitlin Foord also ended the match unscathed.

All Stars 0 Arsenal 1, full-time.

Arsenal fans.Credit: Getty

New Zealand star Hannah Wilkinson almost found the equaliser as she steamed towards the box and unleashed a huge shot, but it was saved by young Naomi Williams.

That was the All Stars’ best opportunity of the night. Could it give the Aussie side some momentum? They don’t have long.

All Stars 0 Arsenal 1, 89 minutes

That’s all three Matildas stars now off the field, with Caitlin Foord subbed off late in the second quarter. Steph Catley was taken off at the break and Kyra Cooney-Cross walked (was almost stretchered off) not long ago with what looked like bad cramps.

Foord thanked the crowd, who gave her a big cheer. Fans will no doubt be thankful they got to see all of Aus-enal tonight.

Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams.Credit: Getty

It’s surprising Arsenal haven’t been able to find a way to the back of the net after Alessia Russo’s opening-half goal. They have been peppering and peppering and feels like another one is imminent.

The crowd would love a Caitlin Foord goal, and she’s been impressive tonight, doing everything except score.

The crowd attendance is said to be 42,120.

All Stars 0 Arsenal 1, 82 minutes.

Emily Fox of Arsenal.Credit: Getty