Arsenal vs Real Madrid LIVE: Gunners complete stunning comeback to reach Women’s Champions League semi-finals
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (Arsenal win 3-2 on aggregate): Alessia Russo scored twice as the Gunners pulled off a brilliant comeback at the Emirates
Arsenal completed a dream comeback against Real Madrid in the second leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final to win 3-2 on aggregate and progress to the semi-finals for the eighth time in their history.
Renee Slegers’ team lost the first leg 2-0 away from home courtesy of goals from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo, and for the first 45 minutes at the Emirates it looked like the deadlock would never be broken - despite Arsenal dominating possession and spurning a host of chances.
But that all changed in the second half as the Gunners moved level with a quick-fire double in just two minutes and 48 seconds, with Alessia Russo turning in a fabulous Chloe Kelly cross for the opener before Mariona Caldentey knocked down another ball from the Manchester City loanee past keeper Misa.
Russo completed the turnaround ten minutes later with a brilliant team goal from a free-kick by Katie McCabe, and had a further two goals ruled out for offside as Arsenal continued to press.
Despite a late surge by Caicedo, the Gunners held on to secure a famous victory in front of a historic crowd of 22,517 - a new record crowd for the Women’s Champions League quarter-final in the UK.
They will play Lyon in the semis for a place in the final on 24 May in Lisbon, after the French side thrashed Bayern Munich 6-1 on aggregate (4-1 earlier on Wednesday).
Relive all the Women’s Champions League action and updates with our live blog below:
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That’s all for tonight - same time tomorrow for the all-English second leg between Chelsea and Manchester City, as they bid to join Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.
A reminder that the first legs for those come in the week of 19/20 April, with a place in May’s final in Lisbon up for grabs.
'Calm' the message at half-time, says Slegers
We’ll let Renee Slegers have the last word...
What was the message at half time, she’s asked, to kick off that remarkable comeback.
“Calm,” is the reply. “If we don’t stay calm we’re not going to find the solutions. We felt we were dominant. I could see in the players eyes, they were determined.”
Determined they were, and find the solutions they did.
This is what it means...
Smiles all round at the Emirates after a brilliant comeback.
'I have full belief' - Russo on Arsenal's title chances
More from Russo...
“Nice - I didn’t know they won!” she quips when Sky Sports tell her they’ll face Lyon next.
She’s then asked if she thinks Arsenal can go all the way in the competition.
“I have full belief in the team and the staff. We’ll get back to work and we’ll go again.”
Arsenal save their season as Chloe Kelly’s redemption sparks stunning comeback
It was the half-time team talk to turn a tie, and save a season. Whatever Renee Slegers said, Arsenal emerged from the break to tear Real Madrid to pieces, scoring three goals in 14 minutes to reach the Women’s Champions League semi-finals at a canter.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Arsenal turned it around with a 3-0 victory that flattered the visitors. The Gunners are the first team since 2018 to overturn a two-goal deficit and, with a semi-final against eight-time winners Lyon to come next month, the power of the Emirates was apparent again in this competition, delivering another rousing night.
Arsenal save their season as Chloe Kelly’s redemption sparks memorable comeback
'Still feels a bit surreal' - Alessia Russo on 'one of her best nights in an Arsenal shirt'
“It was amazing,” a still-beaming Alessia Russo tells Sky Sport. “Still feels a bit surreal right now, not really let it sink in yet. We’ve had a lot of belief all week.
“I think so [it was one of her best nights in an Arsenal shirt]. Hopefully long may that continue, but yeah that was special. VAR ruined that one but I should have scored a third anyway!
“We knew that we were doing well in the first half, as a team we felt like we had momentum. We knew we needed to score, Chloe [Kelly] put in some great crosses which set off the first two goals, and we were just consistent - we probably should have got a few more.”
Gunners to face Lyon for spot in Champions League final
Renee Slegers’ side will continue their Champions League campaign against Lyon, who thrashed Bayern Munich 6-1 on aggregate, winning 4-1 in the earlier kick-off on Wednesday.
The first leg - at the Emirates - will be played in the week of 19/20 April, with the second leg played in the week of 26/27 April.
The final this season takes place on 24 May at Sporting CP’s Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Arsenal win 3-0 (agg 3-2)!
Incredible scenes at the Emirates as Arsenal withstand a late barrage of Real pressure to complete a miraculous comeback.
After a frustrating first half the Gunners came firing out of the blocks, with a brilliant double by Russo either side of a Caldentey header, all in the space of 14 minutes - and the first two goals coming in under three. From 2-0 down at the 45th minute to 3-2 up and into the Champions League semis.
“North London forever,” sing an absolutely jubilant crowd.
FULL-TIME! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
Arsenal are into the semi-finals for the eighth time in their history!
CHANCE! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
90+5 mins: Foord leaps over Misa but under pressure by two Real defenders goes for goal herself, only for it to roll tamely wide, instead of passing to Blackstenius with the goal wide open.
Arsenal counter again, Caldentey gets it up to Blackstenius, but once again Lakrar is in the way.
Garcia puts in a brilliant challenge on a charging Caldentey and it’s straight to Misa, before Foord punts an attempt of her own into keeper’s hands.
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