Arsenal vs Real Madrid LIVE: Gunners chasing comeback in second leg of Women’s Champions League quarter-finals

Arsenal have to make up a 2-0 deficit to rescue their Champions League campaign
Arsenal have to make up a 2-0 deficit to rescue their Champions League campaign (Getty Images)

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:

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.

Flo Clifford26 March 2025 20:46

Chance! Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)

43 mins: And Caicedo hits the post! The flag goes up anyway, but the Colombian had the better of van Domselaar there. Huge missed chance for the visitors.

Maanum gets it down the other end but it drifts wide!

Flo Clifford26 March 2025 20:44

Chance! Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)

42 mins: Real danger for Arsenal! The visitors immediately threaten on the counter but van Domselaar saves the day.

She palms away Angeldahl’s attempt and is quickly back up to save Caicedo’s shot after her defenders fail to deal with the move.

Caicedo, and Real, are looking much more lively now.

Flo Clifford26 March 2025 20:43

Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)

40 mins: Kelly crosses towards Foord, another sublime delivery, but Misa punches away.

Arsenal have a lot of momentum at the moment but are just struggling with that final ball.

Carmona finds space down the left as Real counter but Arsenal push back – and again, can’t do anything with it.

Flo Clifford26 March 2025 20:41

Chance! Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)

35 mins: Arsenal win a corner, played short by McCabe to Kelly, but it’s hijacked by Real and Athenea gets it down the other end for van Domselaar – who may be grateful for something to do – to collect.

Russo delivers a lovely cross at the backline but Foord heads it way over the bar – and goes flying to the ground under pressure from Garcia!

Arsenal immediately come again. Kelly tries to catch out Misa in the box but the keeper knocks it down and sprints to gather! Real’s defending hasn’t been pretty, but it’s been functional so far.

Flo Clifford26 March 2025 20:35

Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)

30 mins: Just as I write that Caicedo jinks through a crowd of Arsenal shirts, but another Real move fizzles out.

Fox tees up Kelly, who delivers another great cross, but slightly too high for anyone to get on the end of. The Man City loanee has looked dangerous so far and flicks a ball for Caldentey to run onto but it drifts harmlessly beyond the backline.

Flo Clifford26 March 2025 20:31

Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)

26 mins: Cleared by Real.

Lakrar does well to slide in on Russo and snuff out a promising run down the right.

Williamson goes down in the box clutching the back of her neck as Arsenal pile the pressure on again, before Bruun makes a mess of an attempted ball to Caicedo – who has had little to do so far – in a rare push by Real down the other end.

Kelly floats in a lovely cross but there’s no one to convert!

Flo Clifford26 March 2025 20:26

Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)

22 mins: Another chorus of boos as Garcia wins a free-kick for a challenge by Russo, with the ref’s legs nearly getting tangled in the process.

Still no shots on target as yet. Arsenal have had 68% possession but haven’t been able to take advantage, especially of the visitors’ somehwat porous defence.

McCabe wins a free-kick to the left of the 18-yard box.

Flo Clifford26 March 2025 20:23

Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)

20 mins: Williamson floats a long ball to Fox but Carmona does well to nick possession.

Another Arsenal move down the right comes to naught but it seems a matter of time until Real’s defence get caught out.

Boos from the very vocal crowd as Angeldahl is not judged to have handled as she goes down under pressure.

Flo Clifford26 March 2025 20:20

Chance! Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)

15 mins: Kelly takes two corners in quick succession but Arsenal can’t make anything of either.

Caldentey runs onto a loose ball down the right but her tight-angled shot flies across goal! She could have done with someone to cross to.

Kelly attempts to curl one into the far corner but it floats wide. Still all Arsenal at the moment.

Flo Clifford26 March 2025 20:16