Three targets in 13 second-half minutes was sufficient for Arsenal girls to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit towards Actual Madrid and progress to the Champions League semi-finals.
Alessia Russo scored both aspect of a Mariona Caldentey purpose in a 3-0 win to arrange a mouth-watering tie towards eight-time winners Lyon within the final 4.
Russo had two targets dominated out for offside on a memorable evening for the Gunners on the Emirates, witnessed by 22,517 supporters, a document crowd for an English workforce in a Ladies’s Champions League quarter-final.
SECURING OUR SPOT IN THE SEMI-FINALS! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OfJtZRw70g
— Arsenal Ladies (@ArsenalWFC) March 26, 2025
Actual had given themselves the benefit final week in Madrid courtesy of targets from Linda Caicedo and Athena del Castillo and had been trying to shield that lead in north London on Wednesday.
However Renee Slegers’ aspect proved greater than worthy of their victory with a gutsy, astute efficiency in entrance of their house followers that sparked jubilant celebrations on the full-time whistle.
Following a goalless first half, the hosts took the lead virtually instantly after the restart as a pin-point cross from Chloe Kelly discovered Russo who poked house.
The second purpose got here simply three minutes later when one other supply from the spectacular Kelly was met by Caldentey, the Spaniard directing her header past Misa Rodriguez within the Actual purpose.
And the comeback was full simply earlier than the hour mark when Steph Catley headed Katie McCabe’s freekick again throughout purpose the place Russo was ready to pounce on the bouncing ball.
From there, Russo had two targets chalked off however, ultimately, the three purpose lead proved sufficient to see Arsenal, who’re at present path Chelsea by eight factors within the WSL title race, by means of to the semi-final of a contest that may realistically be their solely shot at silverware this season.
Arsenal males’s workforce shall be hoping to emulate that feat after they meet Los Blancos within the Champions League final eight in April.
