Mary Fowler's eye-opening response after brutal moment for Matildas fan favourite in England

Matildas superstar Mary Fowler bounced back from the heartache of a penalty miss to fire Manchester City into the final of the Women's League Cup, following a stunning goal-scoring double in the 2-1 win against Arsenal. The Aussie fan favourite scored both goals for City, including a late winner deep into stoppage time to fire her side into the Cup final against Chelsea and break the hearts of Arsenal's Matildas contingent - which includes Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord.

Days after scoring twice against the same opposition in the Women's Super League, Fowler was at it again, and opened the scoring against Arsenal in extraordinary fashion. The Matildas forward was put through on goal down the right flank but still had plenty of work to do after collecting the ball in the attacking third and driving at the Gunners' defence.

Fowler burst into the box before unleashing a thunderous strike near the edge of the area that gave Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar no chance as it rifled into the far side of the net. City teammates ran from all directions to celebrate the thunderbolt with Fowler, as City looked to press home their advantage.

Mary Fowler misses spot-kick after Arsenal level

However, Arsenal found themselves on level terms when they were awarded a penalty and Mariona Caldentey stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick, leaving the Cup semi-final balanced on a knife's edge. Moments after the Gunners' equaliser, Fowler was presented with a golden opportunity to fire her side back in front after another penalty was awarded.

But the 21-year-old Matildas ace chose to fire the spot-kick down the middle and van Domselaar didn't budge, with the ball clattering into the Arsenal keeper and away to safety. Fowler threw her hands to her head in agony after squandering the chance to regain the lead for City but she made amends deep into time added on when the match appeared to be heading towards extra time.

Mary Fowler scores late winner after penalty heartbreak

Fowler received the ball on the edge of the Gunners box, before jinking onto her weaker left foot and sending a 95th-minute winner into the bottom corner of Arsenal's goal to spark joyous celebrations from her Manchester City teammates. The goal was the perfect way for Fowler to redeem herself after the earlier penalty miss, with City's manager Gareth Taylor praising his Aussie superstar.

"Mary was great - you know you wouldn't have realised she missed the penalty," Taylor said after describing Fowler as a "real bright light". He added: "There was no change at all in her level. You could see she was really determined to try and help the team and thankfully for us she got one over the line at the end."

It caps off a memorable week for Fowler after her previous brace against Arsenal and the news she'll return for the Matildas in the SheBelieves Cup in the USA later this month. Football Australia named a 23-player Matildas squad on Tuesday, with Fowler to return after opting to skip their most recent friendlies against Brazil and Chinese Taipei in November. She made the call to prioritise her physical and mental health after a gruelling recent schedule for club and country.

Fowler took a well-earned break with NRL star boyfriend Nathan Cleary instead, with the loved-up pair heading to Queensland to recharge the batteries. And the decision has worked wonders, with Fowler returning to Manchester City in sensational form.

Fowler's latest double means she's now registered seven goals and three assists in her last six games in England. And the Matildas will be hoping she continues the stellar form at international level next month. Fans were left saddened over the news of Fowler's withdrawal at the time, but understood her decision and sent the 21-year-old well-wishes.