In her first game back after an 11-month absence, the winger assisted on the game-winning goal in an effort to regain her Euros-winning form.
The Emirates Stadium was electrified before Beth Mead took the field for her maiden Arsenal appearance in 11 months and before she assisted England teammate Alessia Russo’s late winner in her comeback from an ACL injury. There were loud cheers whenever Mead warmed up on the sidelines. ‘Meado, Meado’ cries rang out throughout the stadium as she began to get tactical lessons just before her eagerly anticipated homecoming. And in the 88th minute, when she eventually stepped onto that field, the din was deafening.
It appeared for a brief moment that Mead wouldn’t make a comeback on Sunday. From the 25th minute on, Arsenal was down to Aston Villa when Maz Pacheco took advantage of some shoddy set-piece defense to head the visitors in ahead. Despite their best efforts, the Gunners were unable to breach the defense of the opposing team. They didn’t have a win to show for it when the new Women’s Super League season got underway.
Would head coach Jonas Eidevall use this chance to bring back Mead, who had been out for over a full year? Mead hadn’t been seen warming up for some time, so it appeared more possible that someone with a little more match-sharpness may be trusted to come on and change the game.
But on Sunday, the 35,829 spectators inside the Emirates would not be dissatisfied. Not only did they get to watch the 2022 Ballon d’Or runner-up return, but they also got to see her play a part in the most amazing comeback. Mead entered the game in the 88th minute. Katie McCabe scored an equalizer with a powerful shot in the 92nd minute. Mead set up Russo for the winning goal in the 94th minute.
The England star described her sentiments at the time to reporters by saying, “Pretty amazing,” according to a report. It’s taken a very, very long time to happen. There have been both difficult and happy days. I believe that in the end, you want to do your job and something you love, and those opportunities had already been gone.
