
Arsenal host Real Madrid in the second leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final tie knowing they must come from behind if they have any hopes of reaching the last four.
Renee Slegers’ team lost the first leg 2-0 away from home after Linda Caicedo gave Real the lead in the first half, finishing off a counter-attacking move. A second goal for the hosts saw Athenea del Castillo blaze a shot past Manuela Zinsberger late in the game to leave Arsenal with work to do.
Arsenal know they will have the Emirates behind them as they look to use the power of their home crown following a memorable run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2023. Captain Kim Little said: “We will have to create even more and play good football. That’s what we need as a team for the second leg.”
Follow all the Women’s Champions League action and updates with our live blog below:
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
64 mins: McCabe whips in a delivery to Little at the far post but she knocks it just to the right of goal. A free header wasted there.
Caicedo hassles McCabe, who passes back to van Domselaar, but immediately we’re back down the other end. Oohs and ahhs as Misa nearly gets caught out again.
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
59 mins: GOAL! Advantage Arsenal!
Kelly wins a free-kick, McCabe floats it in, and Catley knocks down for Russo! A great team goal with bodies everywhere in box, and Russo gets a high right foot to slam it into the back of the net.
From 2-0 down to 3-2 up, some night for Arsenal so far.
Arsenal 2-0 Real Madrid (agg 2-2)
57 mins: Williamson wins a free-kick off Bruun as the Real forward is through on goal, and is in the thick of the action a minute later as Caicedo catches her in the face.
She’s on the ground for a little while but seems okay.
Kelly pushes down the right again but Real are a bit more organised at the back, and Misa comes out to nab the ball before Russo can get there.
Arsenal 2-0 Real Madrid (agg 2-2)
52 mins: Two minutes and 48 seconds between those two goals. Whatever Slegers said at half-time, it’s clearly worked, and we’re all square at the Emirates.
Kelly takes a touch and now has a punt for herself, but it’s way over the bar.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Real Madrid (agg 2-2)
48 mins: A quickfire double! Kelly once again powers down the right, crosses in to Caldentey, and she nods a lovely header straight past Misa to wipe away the memory of that chance she missed in the first half. Two assists for Kelly in quick succession.
The crowd are absolutely loving this.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Real Madrid (agg 1-2)
45 mins: Just what Arsenal needed! It’s Kelly of course who floats in a lovely cross as Arsenal press rapidly up the pitch, and Russo is at the far post to slide it past a diving Misa. No offside, the Gunners have clawed one back!
Second half: Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
Here we go… can Arsenal salvage this tie?
Half-time: Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
A frustrating first half for Arsenal, who had plenty of possession and plenty of chances – most courtesy of lovely Kelly crosses – but struggled in the final third and were nearly caught out by a Real counter-attack at the death.
In fact it was Angeldahl who had the best shot of the entire half, followed by Caicedo, with van Domselaar’s neat double save sparing the Gunners’ blushes.
Only 45 minutes left to pull back two goals, preferably three, and keep their Champions League dreams alive.
Half-time: Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
45 mins: Massive roar from the crowd as Kelly sprints down the middle, passing forward for Foord to run onto, but there’s not quite enough pace on it.
Carmona puts off Russo and the ball rolls tamely out, and that’s the last attack of the first half. The clock is ticking for Arsenal to get something out of this.