Arsenal get stunning Women’s Champions League comeback win over Real Madrid on record-breaking night

03/26/2025 06:16 PM

Alessia Russo inspired Arsenal Women to a 3-0 win over Real Madrid to book their spot in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Gunners went into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium trailing their Spanish opponents by 2-0 following last week’s defeat.

With the scores level at half-time, fans may have been fearing a last-eight exit in north London.

Bu three goals in the opening 14 minutes of the second half have sealed their place in the next round against record eight-time champions Lyon.

Russo, who scored twice on Wednesday night, broke the deadlock in the 46th minute with a close range effort after being expertly picked out by England teammate Chloe Kelly.

Kelly again supplied the assist for Arsenal’s second just three minutes later, with her cross finding the run of Mariona Caldentey.

And the Spanish forward, who spent ten years at Las Blancas’ rivals Barcelona, made no mistake with a downward header.

Russo then sent the home fans into pandemonium just before the hour mark, as she rifled in a volley from around seven yards out.

She then thought she had grabbed her first Arsenal hat-trick on two occasions, but she was adjudged to be offside both times.

But with six strikes in the competition this term, she is now the joint top scorer in the tournament.

Real Madrid barely threatened in the second half, with Arsenal holding on for the victory in front of a record – albeit nervous – crowd.

With 22,517 supporters in attendance, it is the biggest crowd for a Women’s Champions League quarter-final tie in England.

It surpasses the 21,307 that were present at the Emirates two years ago which saw Arsenal prevail against Bayern Munich.

Arsenal’s victory over Real Madrid is also the first time in seven years that a team has overturned a 2-0 first leg defeat.

Barcelona had been the last team to achieve the feat having overcome BIIK Kazygurt in their round of 32 tie.

It’s Arsenal’s eighth semi-final appearance in the Champions League – and their second in three seasons after crashing out to Wolfsburg two years ago.

Their first leg against Lyon will take place at the Emirates on April 19/20, with the return fixture taking place the following week.

For Russo, she is now confident her side can be the first Arsenal team to win the tournament since 2007.

Asked by TNT Sports if Arsenal can go all the way, he said: “Yeah. I have full belief in the whole team and the staff. We will get back to work and go again.”

Pressed on what the message at half-time was, Russo remarked: “We knew we were doing well in the first half. We felt good.

“We felt like we had momentum and we said we wanted to be more patient in the final third because we knew we needed to score.

“Chloe put in some great crosses which set up the first two goals and then we were persistent and probably should have had more to be fair.

“The week has been busy but we have all been locked in. Tonight is when you enjoy the football. We enjoyed the crowd and we will enjoy tonight.”