Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 to overcome a 2-0 first leg deficit and reach the UWCL semi-final.
It was ladies against girls, just as it was in the first leg, but this time, football won as Arsenal made their dominance count, putting their opponent through the pace to secure their eighth UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals ticket.
With Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and a bit of Mariona Caldentey, Arsenal produced the three needed goals and defended like their lives depend on it to make away with a clean sheet, achieving another history comeback in the competition.
Only three times has an English team overturn a two-goal deficit in a Women’s Champions League knockout tie. Arsenal against Torres in 2004, Arsenal against Rayo Vallecano in 2011 and again, Arsenal repeated the same to complete a hat-trick against Real Madrid.
Real Madrid, on the back of their first ever Clasico win were optimistic of their chances of reaching their first-ever semi final in the competition, more than ever following their 2-0 first-leg advantage in Spain.
Ultimately, the traveling fans were made recipient of what they enjoy with their men’s team, and will hope to have their revenge when those clash in the Champions League quarter-finals next month.
Arsenal, who were the much better side in the first leg in Spain but lost 2-0 as goals from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo propelled Real Madrid to the win in horrendous condition in Alfred Di Stefano stadium, had won each of their last six games at the Emirates by an aggregate of 23-1.
Beating Real Madrid was not going to be too much a task given the showing they put up in Spain, but whether or not they’ll be able to qualify was uncertain, given the rarity of such comebacks in the competition.
Over the course of the two legs, they created eight big chances compared to one for their Spanish opponent, had 12 more shots, the better share of the possession and every other thing. They were so much better that even with a two-goal deficit, their confidence never waiver ahead of the return leg.
Speaking ahead of the game, Arsenal coach Renee Slegers believes Arsenal can create something special by overturning the 2-0 deficit and seal progression into the semi-finals.
“At Boreham Wood, we can have a lot of fans close to us, it’s an intimate setting. But the Emirates is much bigger, and us, together with our fans, can create something magical.
We really thrive there, so everything is set up for us to perform. Then it’s up to us.”
After a frustrating first-half, of which they had nothing to show for their dominance, Arsenal continued to believe, knowing with one strike they are back into the tie.
“We spoke [at half time] about that we have such a great squad, we have so many players who will come in and make a difference for us. Real Madrid doesn’t, they will get tired at some point.” Said Renee Slegers at full time.
Her words prove true, although they didn’t need the help of a substitute. Alessia Russo broke the deadlock immediate after the restart. Caitlin Foord played the ball to Chloe Kelly on the right, and the Manchester City loanee, on her first Champions League start for her girlhood club, whipped a across into the box, where Russo got to it and slides home from close range.
Less than three minutes later, Arsenal doubled their lead on the night to level the tie on aggregate. The ball is again played to Kelly on the right, and almost a copy of the first goal, this time, it was Mariona Caldentey who heads home the cross for 2-0.
The comeback was completed just before the hour mark. Kelly, again, won a free-kick in the attacking half after she was brought down by Sandie Toletti.
The resulting set-piece was sent into the heart of the box by Katie McCabe, where the defensive header ricochet off Steph Catley and then into the path of Russo, who slammed the ball home with a first time volley for her sixth goal in the competition this season, taking her level with Pernille Harder as the top scorer.
Ahead on aggregate, Arsenal just had to ensure their clean sheet is preserved to see out the tie. Nevertheless, they came asking for more, and Russo completed her hat-trick twice, only to be denied by the offside flag each time.
Real Madrid had a rare attack late on, but Daphne van Domselaar was able to deny Linda Caicedo from close range as the held on to a 3-2 aggregate win.
Arsenal Wins the First of a Double Tie
It is only two out of four meetings scheduled between the two clubs in the Champions League this season, with the men’s team also set to lock horns for a place in the semi-finals in April.
While Real Madrid missed out on a chance to make history by reaching their first semi final, they would have not much complain, because they were second best over the two legs. Five years into their foundation, they have quickly developed into a top team, but they can surely get better.
Arsenal will now face Lyon over two legs for a place in the final. The French side defeated Bayern Munich 5-1 on aggregate, following a 4-1 home win in the second leg.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
