Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2): Russo double sends comeback queens into Champions League semis
Arsenal Women overturned a two-goal deficit at the Emirates Stadium to progress to the Women's Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.
Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal produced an inspired turnaround to stun Real Madrid and book their place in the Women's Champions League semi-finals.
Renee Slegers' side trailed 2-0 from the first leg, but three goals in the space of 13 second-half minutes sealed a dramatic 3-2 aggregate victory at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners controlled large periods of the first half. However, Madrid had the best opportunity, with Daphne van Domselaar making a smart save to deny Filippa Angeldahl in the 42nd minute.
It proved crucial as Arsenal struck within a minute of the restart, with Russo poking home Chloe Kelly's inviting cross.
Kelly was involved again as the hosts levelled the tie three minutes later, as another pinpoint delivery was headed in by Mariona Caldentey.
And the turnaround was completed just before the hour mark. Katie McCabe's free-kick was nodded across goal by Steph Catley, and Russo was on hand to fire home.
The England forward was twice denied her hat-trick following VAR reviews, while Van Domselaar made another important save to thwart Linda Caicedo in stoppage time and secure her side's passage into the last four.
Data Debrief: Comeback queens set up Lyon showdown
Madrid were bidding to reach the semi-finals in this tournament for the first time, and things could have been very different had Angeldahl converted before half-time.
But while Madrid may be frustrated about that miss, they did not create enough quality chances overall, accumulating only 0.35 expected goals to Arsenal's 1.94.
Claiming their seventh win in nine home matches across all competitions, Arsenal booked their place in an eighth Champions League semi-final, where eight-time champions Lyon await.
The Gunners should hold no fear, though. Even if they fall behind, they have shown their powers of recovery. Indeed, Arsenal have progressed from a Champions League knockout tie after losing the first leg away for the second time in succession, following their 2022-23 quarter-final turnaround against Bayern.