The 2024 FA Women's League Cup final was the thirteenth final of the FA Women's League Cup, England's secondary cup competition for women's football teams and its primary league cup tournament. It took place on 31 March 2024 at Molineux, and was contested by Chelsea and Arsenal.
| Event | 2023–24 FA Women's League Cup | ||||||
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| Date | 31 March 2024 | ||||||
| Venue | Molineux, Wolverhampton | ||||||
| Player of the Match | Victoria Pelova (Arsenal) | ||||||
| Referee | Cheryl Foster | ||||||
| Attendance | 21.462 | ||||||
Chelsea made their fifth consecutive (and fifth overall) appearance in a League Cup final, having lost the previous two editions. Six-time winners Arsenal contested their tenth League Cup final, and this was a rematch of the 2023 Final. It was the third time the teams had met in a League Cup final.
Arsenal won the match 1–0 and clinched their seventh title.[1]
Route to the final
editArsenal
edit| Round | Opposition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| GS | Bristol City (H) | 3–1 |
| GS | Southampton (A) | 1–2 |
| GS | Tottenham Hotspur (H) | 3–3 |
| GS | Reading (A) | 0–6 |
| QF | London City Lionesses (A) | 0–4 |
| SF | Aston Villa (H) | 4–0 |
| Key: (H) = Home; (A) = Away | ||
Arsenal entered the competition in the group stage after losing their UEFA Women's Champions League qualifier to Paris FC.[2] They were drawn in a group with Bristol City, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Reading. Against Bristol City, Frida Maanum swept Arsenal into the lead midway through the first half, and Lotte Wubben-Moy doubled their lead with a header from a corner. Bristol City got back in into the contest through Sille Struck, but Stina Blackstenius was able to seal the win for Arsenal deep into added time.[3]
In their second match away at Southampton, a shock looked to be on the cards when Molly Pike gave the home the side the lead at the start of the second half. However, a quick reply from Maanum, and an injury time header from Amanda Illestedt, her first for the club, meant it was two wins from two for Arsenal.[4]
A North London thriller against Tottenham Hotspur was next. Three times Spurs took the lead through Martha Thomas and Jessica Naz, only for Arsenal to match them with goals from Blackstenius, Maanum and an own goal from Amy Turner. A penalty shootout followed to determine who would win the bonus point. Sabrina D'Angelo saved from Naz and Kit Graham hit the bar as Arsenal gained the advantage. And although Caitlin Foord saw her penalty saved, Jen Beattie stepped up to score the winning spot-kick.[5]
Arsenal sealed top spot in Group D with a comprehensive win over bottom side Reading. Blackstenius scored her first hat-trick for the club, whilst there were also goals for Foord, Laia Codina and Beth Mead.[6]
In the quarter-finals, Arsenal were pitted against London City Lionesses. A brace from Cloé Lacasse was complimented by a penalty from Kim Little and an Alessia Russo header.[7] In the semi-finals, Arsenal were drawn at home against Aston Villa. Again, it was another comfortable 4–0 win, with Blackstenius scoring yet another hat-trick and Maanum with a long range effort.[8]
Chelsea
edit| Round | Opposition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| GS | Bye | |
| QF | Sunderland (H) | 5–0 |
| SF | Manchester City (A) | 0–1 |
| Key: (H) = Home; (A) = Away | ||
Chelsea entered the competition at the knockout stage due to their participation in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
In the quarter finals, they were paired with Sunderland. Sjoeke Nüsken and Fran Kirby both scored two goals apiece, with Aggie Beaver-Jones also finding the back of the net as Chelsea ran out comfortable 5–0 winners.[9] Their semi-final was a much closer affair, with an away trip to Manchester City. Lauren James gave Chelsea an early lead, and they were able to hold out for the win and book a place in the League Cup Final.[10]
Match
editDetails
edit| Arsenal (1) | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Chelsea (1) |
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Report |
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     Chelsea
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Player of the match: Assistant referees: |
Match rules
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References
edit- ↑ "Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (AET): Stina Blackstenius secures League Cup glory in extra time". BBC Sport. 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ UEFA.com. "History: Arsenal 3-3 Paris FC | UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/24". UEFA.com. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Arsenal 3-1 Bristol City: Stina Blackstenius and Lotte Wubben-Moy on target for Gunners". BBC Sport. 2023-11-09. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Southampton 1-2 Arsenal: Late Amanda Ilestedt header completes turnaround". BBC Sport. 2023-11-23. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Women's League Cup round-up: Arsenal lead group D after extra point against Spurs". BBC Sport. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Reading 0-6 Arsenal: Gunners captain Leah Williamson 'happy to be back' after nine months out". BBC Sport. 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "London City Lionesses 0-4 Arsenal: Cloe Lacasse double sets up Aston Villa semi-final for Gunners". BBC Sport. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa: Stina Blackstenius' first-half hat-trick helps Gunners reach Women's League Cup final". BBC Sport. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Chelsea 5-0 Sunderland: Emma Hayes' Blues reach Women's League Cup semi-finals with win". BBC Sport. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ↑ "Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea: Lauren James goal sends Blues into Women's League Cup final". BBC Sport. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2025-10-13.