Football: Arsenal 3 - 0 Real Madrid

Arsenal won 3-2 on aggregate

Arsenal staged a stunning comeback to book their place in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals

Author - DJ

Women's Champions League | Arsenal v Real Madrid

They managed to overturn a first-leg deficit to beat Real Madrid at the Emirates. 

Alessia Russo was the hero on the night, scoring twice in a relentless second-half display that saw the Gunners seize control.

With tension mounting in the stands, Russo struck just moments after the restart, guiding home Chloe Kelly’s curling cross to settle nerves and give Arsenal the lead on the night. This game was well and truly on now. 

Three minutes later, former Barcelona midfielder Mariona Caldentey capitalised on another superb Kelly delivery, heading in to turn the tie on its head.

READ MORE: Arsenal news and stories from European Super Football

READ MORE: More match reports from London Super News

Russo then doubled her tally in the 59th minute, pouncing from close range to put Arsenal firmly in control. She thought she had sealed a hat-trick, only for VAR to rule out two goals for offside, and later missed a one-on-one with Real Madrid’s Misa Rodriguez.

Despite those near misses, it was a commanding performance from Arsenal, who played with intensity and aggression throughout and were deserving winners on the night.

Real Madrid’s best opportunity came on the stroke of half-time when Filippa Angeldahl was denied by a crucial save from Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who also reacted sharply to block Linda Caicedo’s follow-up, though the forward was offside. 

Caicedo threatened again in stoppage time, forcing another save, while Caitlin Foord missed a late chance to add further gloss to the scoreline under pressure from Real’s defenders.

Job done for Arsenal. This was a magical European night in North London. 

The victory is the most significant yet under manager Renée Slegers and keeps Arsenal in the hunt for silverware this season, despite already bowing out of the Women’s FA Cup and trailing Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea by eight points.

Next up, they face a formidable challenge against eight-time European champions Lyon, who swept past Bayern Munich 6-1 on aggregate to reach the last four. 

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