Live Blog: Arsenal Women must overturn 2-0 deficit against Real Madrid to reach Champions League semi-finals

Arsenal host Real Madrid on a crucial night at Emirates Stadium in the UEFA Women's Champions League




Real Madrid won the first leg 2-0 last week, so the score on the live blog indicates the second leg, rather than aggregate, scoreline.

Live BLog Wednesday Mar 26th

Please stand-by, this page will automatically update with live commentary and comments

  1. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:53 #6899

    Arsenal 3-0 (3-2) Real Madrid!!!!

  2. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:53 #6898

    FULL TIMEEEE!!!!!

  3. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:51 #6897

    90+4' And a chance for Foord up the other end who gets past Misa but can't hit the target from range! 3-0

  4. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:50 #6896

    90+4' The first corner goes all the way through everyone, but takes a deflection so Madrid will have another go. Russo heads it away! 3-0

  5. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:49 #6895

    90+3' Van Domselaar saves from Caicedo before the follow-up is deflected behind! Still time here for Madrid. 3-0

  6. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:47 #6894

    90+1' Six added minutes. 3-0

  7. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:46 #6893

    90' Little is replaced by Blackstenius- another superb shift from the Arsenal captain who leaves the field to a standing ovation. 3-0

  8. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:45 #6892

    89' Alessia Russo scores again but her hat-trick goal is disallowed for offside for the second time! 3-0

  9. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:44 #6891

    89' Real Madrid have had one shot to Arsenal's 15. 3-0

  10. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:44 #6890

    87' Another cross from Mead just evades Russo and is claimed by Misa. Arsenal three minutes away from booking flights and hotels in Lyon. 3-0

  11. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:39 #6889

    83' Mead's free kick just skims the crossbar! Tough to get that up and down over the wall as it was right on the edge of the box. 3-0

  12. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:39 #6888

    83' 22,517 in attendance, the highest crowd for a Women’s Champions League quarter-final in England. 3-0

  13. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:38 #6887

    82' Now that was the chance for Russo's hat-trick, played one on one with Misa but the goalkeeper saves well. 3-0

  14. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:37 #6886

    81' Every single Arsenal cross into the box tonight, whether it be a set-piece or from open play, has caused so many problems for Real Madrid. Almost unplayable at times. 3-0

  15. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:37 #6885

    81' Russo heads just wide at the back post from Mead's corner! 3-0

  16. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:35 #6884

    79' A bit of a coming together between Mead, Foord and Garcia with the referee having to intervene. Mead's free-kick is flashed across goal and behind for a corner. 3-0

  17. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:33 #6883

    76' Changes for Madrid- Redondo and Feller on, Bruun and Angeldahl off. Caicedo moves upfront. 3-0

  18. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:31 #6882

    75' So close again! Again, the flag is belatedly raised after Maanum's cross evades Russo and then Lakrar clears away from Foord. 3-0

  19. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:29 #6881

    72' Walti and Mead replace Maanum and Kelly. 3-0

  20. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:29 #6880

    71' Goal! Alessia Russo has scored her first Arsenal hat-trick, in the Champions League quarter finals!!! Maanum with the cross and Russo gets there ahead of her marker! Oh no, the VAR check says offside. no goal. 3-0

  21. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:29 #6879

    71' Goal! Alessia Russo has scored her first Arsenal hat-trick, in the Champions League quarter finals!!! Maanum with the cross and Russo gets there ahead of her marker! Oh no, the VAR check says offside. no goal. 3-0

  22. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:26 #6878

    70' Clever ball through by Mariona and it just evades the outstretched Russo. 3-0

  23. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:25 #6877

    69' Beth Mead too. 3-0

  24. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:24 #6876

    68' Looks like Lia Walti is coming on. 3-0

  25. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:24 #6875

    68' Looks like Lia Walti is coming on. 3-0

  26. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:23 #6874

    67' Excellent corner from Kelly and Russo heads wide at the back post, her and Catley went for the same ball. 3-0

  27. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:22 #6873

    66' Naughty little dummy from Foord and Kelly wins a corner. 3-0

  28. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:19 #6872

    63' The livewire that is Athenea sends in a cross from the left and it ends up as more of a shot, flying over the bar. 3-0

  29. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:18 #6871

    62' Three goals in 13 minutes for Arsenal after 136 minutes without finding the net in this tie. 3-0

  30. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:18 #6870

    61' Little at the back post! Her header takes a nick off Foord and is behind for a goal kick. 3-0

  31. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:15 #6869

    58' GOOOAAAALLLL! Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate and it’s Russo again! What a finish!!! 3-0

  32. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:13 #6868

    57' These two goals have put Madrid firmly on the back foot, with wayward passes becoming all too common for the visitors. Arsenal will push for the third, surely. 2-0

  33. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:09 #6867

    53' Williamson backtracking gives the ball away but does well to get back in behind Bruun and make a crucial intervention. That could have been costly. 2-0

  34. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:07 #6866

    51' And now Kelly goes for goal herself, just over the crossbar. 2-0

  35. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:06 #6865

    49' GOAL AGAIN! It’s another Chloe Kelly cross and the former Barcelona forward Mariona is there to slam it past Misa!!!!! 2-0

  36. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:03 #6864

    46' GOAL! 44 seconds into the second half and Chloe Kelly’s cross is on the money again to set up Alessia Russo! Arsenal have one back. 1-0

  37. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:02 #6863

    46' Underway for the second half. 0-0

  38. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 21:02 #6862

    What a half of football- Arsenal launching attack after attack, but the Gunners still have it all to do.

  39. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:45 #6861

    45+1' Close again! Kelly slides the ball across goal and it just evades Mariona. And that's half-time. 0-0

  40. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:44 #6860

    45' Kelly threads through Foord and Garcia again gets across well to intercept. 0-0

  41. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:43 #6859

    44' Maanum's shot just trickles wide of the far post. 0-0

  42. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:42 #6858

    42' In the end the flag goes up for offside against Caicedo, would have been tight. 0-0

  43. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:41 #6857

    42' A HUGE double save from Daphne van Domselaar! The goalkeeper has had nothing to do but prevents what would have been a vital Real Madrid goal! 0-0

  44. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:39 #6856

    40' A clear shirt pull from Mariona on Caicedo but she avoids a yellow card. 0-0

  45. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:37 #6855

    38' Carmona drives down the left for Madrid, who finally can move the ball around for a few moments. This first half has absolutely flown by. 0-0

  46. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:34 #6854

    35' Mariona tees up Russo, her deflected shot is fumbled badly by Misa who just about clings onto the ball under pressure from Kelly. 0-0

  47. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:33 #6853

    33' Chance! Fox takes a quick throw-in, Russo gets the wrong side of Lakrar and Foord's brave header is over the crossbar. 0-0

  48. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:29 #6852

    30' Kelly has been on fire in this first half, delivering countless tantalising crosses. 0-0

  49. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:25 #6851

    26' Close! Kelly with a delicious ball in and it somehow evades Russo and then Foord. It's all Arsenal. 0-0

  50. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:23 #6850

    23' McCabe to take. Catley gets something on it at the back stick but Madrid clear. 0-0

  51. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:22 #6849

    22' Kelly gets the ball stuck under her feet amidst cries of shoot from the home fans, before Athenea concedes a free kick wide on the left wing. 0-0

  52. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:18 #6848

    18' Arsenal are pressing like mad, Madrid defending with their lives. This is some start to a quarter-final second leg. 0-0

  53. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:15 #6847

    15' Mariona gets in behind and the angle narrows, I think her chip was an effort on goal but it drifts away and into Madrid's feet. Unlucky. 0-0

  54. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:12 #6846

    13' The noise here at the Emirates has been louder already than on Saturday- the crowd know just how much every pass, set-piece and tackle means tonight. Fantastic atmosphere. 0-0

  55. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:11 #6845

    11' An unmarked Mariona gets her head to Maanum's corner at the back post, skims the top of the net! 0-0

  56. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:10 #6844

    10' Fantastic defending by Lakrar- Russo is played in behind by a lofted McCabe chip and the defender times her tackle to perfection. 0-0

  57. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:08 #6843

    9' Dangerous ball in from Kelly but Misa watches it all the way into her hands. 0-0

  58. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:06 #6842

    7' Fox has been marking Linda Caicedo very tightly so far, sticking close to the pacy winger. 0-0

  59. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:05 #6841

    5' Foord's cross is cleared. Arsenal are pressing very high and getting tight to their markers every time the ball is turned over. 0-0

  60. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:03 #6840

    3' The ball has not left Madrid's half with Arsenal attacking down both flanks. 0-0

  61. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 20:00 #6839

    1' Underway! Strap yourselves in! 0-0

  62. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:58 #6838

    An excellent atmosphere here at the Emirates ahead of kick-off, with Arsenal needing to come from 2-0 down to beat Real Madrid and reach a second Champions League semi-final in three seasons.

  63. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:56 #6837

    And a rousing chorus of North London Forever! With lyrics on the big screen. Here come the teams.

  64. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:54 #6836

    Firstly, a pre-match lights show.

  65. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:52 #6835

    The teams are in the tunnel! How are the nerves?

  66. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:50 #6834

    So then, it's a simple task mathematically. Arsenal must score twice to take it to extra time, three times to reach the semi-finals. If Real Madrid score, the Gunners must keep on scoring. And any team with the likes of Caicedo, Weir and Bruun in will fancy their chances of finding the net.

  67. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:45 #6833

    The winners of the quarter-final between Arsenal and Real Madrid will face Lyon in the semis after they beat Bayern Munich 6-1 on aggregate.

  68. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:39 #6832

    Wubben-Moy on tonight's game: "We're focused, we're ready and I think it's going to be a fast start."

  69. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:38 #6831

    Lotte Wubben-Moy is being interviewed pitchside: "I'm doing great, I've really appreciated the fans' messages. The last two weeks I've been on the pitch, feeling good, feeling strong. Most importantly I'm doing it for the girls, cheering them on."

  70. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:35 #6830

    Rosa Kafaji is back on the bench for Arsenal, with Lina Hurtig appearing to have picked up an injury in training yesterday.

  71. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:34 #6829

    Arsenal have placed a number of flags in the opposite stand to our press box, and there will be a light show before kick-off to build up the atmosphere, which always seems to improve on these midweek nights.

  72. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:31 #6828

    Over 20,000 tickets have been sold, with Arsenal expected to break their own record for the highest attendance at a Women's Champions League quarter-final in England, set two seasons ago against Bayern Munich.

  73. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:28 #6827

    Both sides are out warming up, with Arsenal U21s head coach Elliot Allum involved for the second game in a row, as part of Renee Slegers' coaching staff by the looks of it.

  74. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:24 #6826

    One change for Madrid, as Athenea replaces the injured Leupolz. Extra threat in attack, less control in midfield, on paper.

  75. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:22 #6825

    Subs: Laia, Sofia, Antonia, Redondo, Yasmim, Moller, Camacho, Navarro, Feller, Noemi, Dorado, Elsa.

  76. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:21 #6824

    Real Madrid: Misa; Olga, Lakrar, Mendez, Garcia; Weir, Angeldahl, Toletti; Athenea, Bruun, Caicedo.

  77. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:20 #6823

    Subs: Zinsberger, Williams, Codina, Mead, Walti, Kafaji, Pelova, Nighswonger, Blackstenius, Ilestedt, Cooney-Cross, Reid.

  78. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:18 #6822

    Arsenal: Van Domselaar; McCabe, Catley, Williamson, Fox; Little, Mariona; Foord, Maanum, Kelly; Russo.

  79. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:15 #6821

    Team news is in, and Arsenal have named an unchanged side from Saturday's 4-0 win over Liverpool (which in itself saw four changes from the 2-0 loss in Madrid).

  80. Freddie Cardy at Emirates Stadium: 19:13 #6820

    Good evening and welcome to a mild evening on the carpet that is Emirates Stadium. Arsenal will have to be pitch perfect to overturn last week's 2-0 defeat and reach the Champions League semi-finals.


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