Wrexham marked their Women’s Champions League debut with a thrilling 4-2 victory over FC Pyunik in the first qualifying round semi-final at the Racecourse.
Jenny Sugarman’s team will face Riga of Estonia – who earlier beat Glentoran 4-1 – in Saturday’s first qualifying round final.
The side was making its European debut after winning the Adran Premier for the first time in their history last season.
This victory marked the first win for a Welsh team in the Champions League since Cardiff Met in the 2019-20 campaign.
The Armenian champions took the lead in the 12th minute when Susanna Badalya capitalized on a poor clearance from Wrexham keeper Liz Craven and fired home from outside the penalty box.
Wrexham responded instantly: a strong run from Faye Knox down the left and her cross was met perfectly by Katie Barker, settling the home side’s nerves.
Barker, the former Newcastle United striker, nearly scored a second goal but her effort was saved by Pyunik goalkeeper Amber Lockwood.
Wrexham took the lead five minutes after the break when Lili Jones’ right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area took a slight deflection and sailed into the top corner.
That goal gave the home side the confidence to push for a third, which eventually came in the 62nd minute.
Lockwood could not hold Lili Jones’ shot and Ava Suckley pounced to tap home from close range.
However Pyunik kept themselves in the game when Luiza Ghazaryan’s powerful shot left Craven with no chance.
Wrexham winger Knox then missed a great chance to score a fourth, but new signing Natasha Thomas sealed a historic victory in the dying stages and also struck the crossbar in added time.
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