Renee Slegers' side bounced back from a 2-0 first-leg defeat to set up a last-four tie with eight-time European champions Lyon next month
Alessia Russo's brace and a sensational performance by Chloe Kelly helped Arsenal become the first team in seven years to overturn a two-goal deficit in a Women's Champions League knockout tie on Wednesday night. Three goals in 14 second-half minutes flipped their quarter-final against Real Madrid completely on its head and sent the Gunners into the last four with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Arsenal were 2-0 down after last week's first leg in Spain, but the belief that they could still qualify for the semi-finals never wavered, even after an opening 45 minutes which saw the Gunners do everything except score. Kelly whipped in brilliant cross after brilliant cross, Mariona Caldentey brushed the sidenetting with a header and Real were almost entirely penned into their own box, but the biggest moment of the first half actually came at the other end, when Daphne van Domselaar made a wonderful save to prevent Filippa Angeldahl from scoring a goal that would've killed the tie for the visitors.
It felt like all Arsenal needed to do was to get on the end of the crosses and cutbacks that were relentlessly penetrating the Real Madrid box – and that, in the second half, is exactly what they did. Mere seconds after the restart, Russo swept in Kelly's deep cross. Three minutes later, Caldentey headed home another fantastic delivery by the England winger. Then, just before the hour, it was Russo who put the Gunners ahead in the tie for the first time with an emphatic finish after Katie McCabe's free-kick had caused chaos in the area.
For all the euphoria inside the Emirates Stadium, though, the tie was still alive. One Real Madrid goal could have changed everything and Arsenal knew that, refusing to take their foot off the gas and invite their opponents back into the affair. Russo was twice denied a hat-trick, first by VAR and then by the offside flag, and she found Misa Rodriguez in between her and the match ball, too. There was a late scare, as Van Domselaar was forced into a big late stop to thwart Caicedo. It proved massive, getting the Gunners over the line and making sure of their incredible comeback – one which sets up a tasty Champions League semi-final against eight-time winners Lyon, managed by former boss Joe Montemurro.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…
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Daphne van Domselaar (8/10):
Had very little to do all game, making her world-class double save just before half-time and a late point-blank stop to deny Caicedo all the more impressive.
Emily Fox (7/10):
Maintained focus well to keep watch over Caicedo while essentially playing as a second winger when Arsenal had the ball.
Leah Williamson (6/10):
A key player in Arsenal's dominance of the game with her good vision and ability to execute a wide array of passes. Had a few sloppy moments in dangerous areas, though.
Steph Catley (7/10):
Played her role well, letting Williamson take over possession at the back. Off the ball, she marshalled Signe Bruun and mopped up when needed.
Katie McCabe (7/10):
Got up and down the left wing as tirelessly as usual. Her crosses were not up to her usual standard, in truth, but she still delivered a brilliantly deadly one for the third goal.
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Kim Little (8/10):
Complemented Caldentey's hands-on approach with some nice quick passes and clever touches.
Mariona Caldentey (9/10):
Moved the ball brilliantly, pressed well and absolutely ran the show. Great run and header for her goal.
Frida Maanum (6/10):
Was largely on the fringes of the game, with some nice involvements here and there but no stand-out moment.
AFPAttack
Chloe Kelly (9/10):
A nightmare for Real's defence all night. Put in so many brilliant crosses and deservedly left the pitch with two assists to her name.
Alessia Russo (9/10):
Pressed well, worked hard and took her opportunities ruthlessly when they came her way. Extremely unlucky not to get a hat-trick.
Caitlin Foord (8/10):
Positive and direct whenever she got on the ball. Constantly put Real on the back foot.
AFPSubs & Manager
Lia Walti (N/A):
Brought new energy to the midfield as Arsenal saw the tie out.
Beth Mead (N/A):
Helped Arsenal keep the pressure up in attack in the closing stages.
Stina Blackstenius (N/A):
A late sub who was full of running.
Renee Slegers (8/10):
Put out an attacking line-up, which was a tad risky given the counter-attacking threat Real pose. It was entirely justified, though, and the decision to deploy Caldentey centrally also paid off handsomely.