Russo’s Double Lifts Arsenal in a Crucial Win Over Real Madrid
So, this Arsenal versus Real Madrid clash in the Women’s Champions League turned into exactly the kind of tense, emotional roller coaster you’d expect when two big European sides meet under pressure. Arsenal were coming into this one needing a response. They hadn’t won in their previous three matches, they had dropped points in the league, and that loss to Bayern Munich—where a two-goal lead had slipped away—was still hanging over them. So, when Real Madrid struck first, you could practically feel the temperature drop even further inside Meadow Park.
Caroline Weir stunned everyone with a brilliant volley in the 43rd minute. It came just as Arsenal looked like they were settling into the game, and suddenly the home side were walking off at halftime trailing 1–0. Given the context—a Champions League group where only the top four automatically reach the knockouts—this wasn’t just inconvenient. It was dangerous.
But the second half was a different story. Renee Slegers’ side came out sharper, more aggressive, and with a bit more belief. And right at the heart of that shift was Alessia Russo. She has been one of those players who can vanish for long stretches and then appear at the exact right moment, and that’s exactly what happened. In the 53rd minute, Chloe Kelly whipped in a gorgeous cross, and Russo rose perfectly to head the ball past Misa Rodriguez. Suddenly the energy in the stadium changed.
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Fourteen minutes later, it happened again. This time it was Beth Mead, just on from the bench, bending in a corner that Russo met with another powerful header. It was a classic striker’s goal—decisive, instinctive, and full of authority. And just like that, Arsenal were leading 2–1.
What’s interesting is that, outside of Russo’s goals, Arsenal didn’t create many clear chances. Olivia Smith was lively and caused problems, but Real Madrid had threats of their own—Linda Caicedo, Naomie Feller, and Athenea del Castillo all looked capable of turning the game. Arsenal’s defence had to dig in, and goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar was called into action multiple times. But the Gunners held firm when it mattered.
Even Real Madrid’s manager Pau Quesada admitted the result stung because his team had chances to go 2–0 up. But he also praised their aggression and identity, saying the defeat was hard to take but not a reflection of their spirit.
For Arsenal, though, this wasn’t about style or dominance. It was about survival, about staying alive in the Champions League group and getting momentum back. Slegers herself said the result mattered more than the performance—and you could tell the players knew that too.
The win boosts Arsenal’s position with two group matches left. Now they face Liverpool in the league and then a tough Champions League meeting with Twente. Real Madrid move on to Eibar and Wolfsburg. But for today, the story is simple: under pressure, Arsenal responded, and Alessia Russo delivered exactly when they needed her most.
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