Stoppage-time winner sends HB Køge Women through in the UEFA Women's Champions League

HB Køge Women hosted Scottish champions Heart of Midlothian on Saturday afternoon in the final of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. It was a match full of big chances and a dramatic late winner.

The game did not get off to the start the Swans had hoped for. Despite creating the first big opportunity of the match – a double chance that saw both efforts hit the woodwork – it was the visitors from Scotland who struck first. Kayla Jardine found the back of the net with a superb finish that beat Lauren Kozal in goal. The goalkeeper stretched as far as she could but was unable to keep the ball out, giving Hearts a 1-0 lead.

After taking the lead, Hearts dropped deeper and invited HB Køge Women onto them. The home side responded by piling on the pressure and creating several clear-cut chances, but the ball simply would not go in. As a result, the teams went into the break with Hearts leading 1-0.

At half-time, head coach Kristian Mørch made a change by introducing Nadia Nadim. The substitution gave HB Køge Women new energy going forward, and the home side looked far more dangerous in the second half.

After several more efforts that struck either the post or the crossbar, the equaliser finally arrived. A clever corner routine between Signe Markvardsen and Jereko left the Kenyan forward completely unmarked at the near post. She took a touch past her defender before firing the ball into the far corner to make it 1-1, sparking huge celebrations at Køge Idrætspark.

The winning goal, however, was still to come. Just as the match appeared destined for extra time, returning captain Mille Gejl had other ideas.

Following a corner from the left, Hearts headed the ball clear, but only as far as Gejl. The captain struck the ball first time, lifting it beautifully over the goalkeeper to make it 2-1 for HB Køge Women in stoppage time. Moments later, the final whistle blew, and the celebrations erupted around the stadium.

Another memorable European night at Køge Idrætspark is now in the books, and HB Køge Women have secured their place in the third and final qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Their opponents will be determined in the draw on Tuesday, 11 August at 1:00 PM CEST.

Watch the goals here

HB Køge Women 2-1 Hearts
0-1 Kayla Jardine (13. min)
1-1 Jereko (60. min)
2-1 Mille Gejl (90. min)

HB Køge Women Starting XI
66. Lauren Kozal
2. Maria Uhre
3. Macy Schultz
7. Kyra Carusa
11. Cassandra Korhonen
12. Sarah Thygesen
17. Rikke Marie Madsen
19. Signe Markvardsen
23. Mille Gejl
28. Simone Boye
33. Jereko

HB Køge Women Substitutions
Nadia Nadim for Rikke Marie Madsen (46. min)
Emelía Óskarsdottír for Sarah Thygesen (61. min)
Sydney Jones for Macy Schultz (74. min)
Laura Hermann for Cassandra Korhonen (90. min)

HB Køge Women – Hearts, 2-1
UEFA Women’s Champions League Second Qualifying-round, Final
Saturday 8. august, 3:30 pm kick-off
Køge Idrætspark, 770 spectators