Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal came from behind to defeat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Women's Champions League league phase at Meadow Park. Caroline Weir's stunning volley gave Real the lead, but Russo's headers from crosses by Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead secured the win for the defending champions. The result moves Arsenal up to eighth with six points.
Arsenal faced a challenging first half against Real Madrid, trailing 1-0 at the break after Caroline Weir's exquisite right-foot volley in the 44th minute. The Scotland international met a dropping ball 15 yards out following a free kick, sending it into the bottom-right corner past Daphne van Domselaar.
The second half saw Arsenal transform, equalizing in the 54th minute when Chloe Kelly looped a cross from the right, and Russo rose to head it over Misa Rodriguez into the top-right corner. VAR confirmed the goal stood, as Frida Maanum's brief offside position was not influential.
Fifteen minutes later, in the 69th minute, Beth Mead delivered a corner from the left, and Russo again timed her run perfectly, steering a header into the bottom-right for her second. Arsenal boss Renée Slegers praised her side's response: "We went in under pressure... The way the players respond under pressure is such a high level. I'm really proud of the group."
Real Madrid pushed late, with Alba Redondo missing a chance in added time, but Arsenal held firm. Weir reflected: "Nice to score but one goal wasn't really enough... We played well but it wasn't enough." Russo, named player of the match, added: "It was a really important win... Our standards are really high."
The victory boosts Arsenal's qualification hopes, with two matches left against Twente and OH Leuven. Real Madrid, now sixth with seven points, host Wolfsburg next.
