Arsenal completed a dream comeback against Real Madrid in the second leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final to win 3-2 on aggregate and progress to the semi-finals for the eighth time in their history.
Renee Slegers’ team lost the first leg 2-0 away from home courtesy of goals from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo, and for the first 45 minutes at the Emirates it looked like the deadlock would never be broken - despite Arsenal dominating possession and spurning a host of chances.
But that all changed in the second half as the Gunners moved level with a quick-fire double in just two minutes and 48 seconds, with Alessia Russo turning in a fabulous Chloe Kelly cross for the opener before Mariona Caldentey knocked down another ball from the Manchester City loanee past keeper Misa.
Russo completed the turnaround ten minutes later with a brilliant team goal from a free-kick by Katie McCabe, and had a further two goals ruled out for offside as Arsenal continued to press.
Despite a late surge by Caicedo, the Gunners held on to secure a famous victory in front of a historic crowd of 22,517 - a new record crowd for the Women’s Champions League quarter-final in the UK.
They will play Lyon in the semis for a place in the final on 24 May in Lisbon, after the French side thrashed Bayern Munich 6-1 on aggregate (4-1 earlier on Wednesday).
Relive all the Women’s Champions League action and updates with our live blog below:
Arsenal vs Real Madrid LIVE
- FULL TIME! Arsenal pull off stunning comeback to knock out Real Madrid
- Gunners trailed 2-0 after first leg but win 3-0 at Emirates to reach semi-finals
- 58' GOAL! Russo slams in third goal in 14 minutes to complete turnaround (ARS 3-0 RMD)
- 48' GOAL! Caldentey gets Arsenal back level on aggregate with header (ARS 2-0 RMD)
- 46' GOAL! Russo turns in Kelly cross to pull goal back for Arsenal (ARS 1-0 RMD)
- 42' SAVE! Van Domselaar makes brilliant double save to deny Angeldahl and Caicedo (ARS 0-0 RMD)
- 11' CHANCE! Caldentey nods just wide at back post (ARS 0-0 RMD)
'Calm' the message at half-time, says Slegers
22:52 , Flo CliffordWe’ll let Renee Slegers have the last word...
What was the message at half time, she’s asked, to kick off that remarkable comeback.
“Calm,” is the reply. “If we don’t stay calm we’re not going to find the solutions. We felt we were dominant. I could see in the players eyes, they were determined.”
Determined they were, and find the solutions they did.
This is what it means...
22:25 , Flo CliffordSmiles all round at the Emirates after a brilliant comeback.
'I have full belief' - Russo on Arsenal's title chances
22:20 , Flo CliffordMore from Russo...
“Nice - I didn’t know they won!” she quips when Sky Sports tell her they’ll face Lyon next.
She’s then asked if she thinks Arsenal can go all the way in the competition.
“I have full belief in the team and the staff. We’ll get back to work and we’ll go again.”
Arsenal save their season as Chloe Kelly’s redemption sparks stunning comeback
22:16 , Jamie BraidwoodIt was the half-time team talk to turn a tie, and save a season. Whatever Renee Slegers said, Arsenal emerged from the break to tear Real Madrid to pieces, scoring three goals in 14 minutes to reach the Women’s Champions League semi-finals at a canter.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Arsenal turned it around with a 3-0 victory that flattered the visitors. The Gunners are the first team since 2018 to overturn a two-goal deficit and, with a semi-final against eight-time winners Lyon to come next month, the power of the Emirates was apparent again in this competition, delivering another rousing night.
Arsenal save their season as Chloe Kelly’s redemption sparks memorable comeback
'Still feels a bit surreal' - Alessia Russo on 'one of her best nights in an Arsenal shirt'
22:10 , Flo Clifford“It was amazing,” a still-beaming Alessia Russo tells Sky Sport. “Still feels a bit surreal right now, not really let it sink in yet. We’ve had a lot of belief all week.
“I think so [it was one of her best nights in an Arsenal shirt]. Hopefully long may that continue, but yeah that was special. VAR ruined that one but I should have scored a third anyway!
“We knew that we were doing well in the first half, as a team we felt like we had momentum. We knew we needed to score, Chloe [Kelly] put in some great crosses which set off the first two goals, and we were just consistent - we probably should have got a few more.”
Gunners to face Lyon for spot in Champions League final
22:06 , Flo CliffordRenee Slegers’ side will continue their Champions League campaign against Lyon, who thrashed Bayern Munich 6-1 on aggregate, winning 4-1 in the earlier kick-off on Wednesday.
The first leg - at the Emirates - will be played in the week of 19/20 April, with the second leg played in the week of 26/27 April.
The final this season takes place on 24 May at Sporting CP’s Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Arsenal win 3-0 (agg 3-2)!
21:56 , Flo CliffordIncredible scenes at the Emirates as Arsenal withstand a late barrage of Real pressure to complete a miraculous comeback.
After a frustrating first half the Gunners came firing out of the blocks, with a brilliant double by Russo either side of a Caldentey header, all in the space of 14 minutes - and the first two goals coming in under three. From 2-0 down at the 45th minute to 3-2 up and into the Champions League semis.
“North London forever,” sing an absolutely jubilant crowd.
FULL-TIME! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:54 , Flo CliffordArsenal are into the semi-finals for the eighth time in their history!
CHANCE! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:53 , Flo Clifford90+5 mins: Foord leaps over Misa but under pressure by two Real defenders goes for goal herself, only for it to roll tamely wide, instead of passing to Blackstenius with the goal wide open.
Arsenal counter again, Caldentey gets it up to Blackstenius, but once again Lakrar is in the way.
Garcia puts in a brilliant challenge on a charging Caldentey and it’s straight to Misa, before Foord punts an attempt of her own into keeper’s hands.
CHANCE! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:51 , Flo Clifford90+3 mins: Lakrar has been an absolute rock in Real’s back line, and she’s in position again to bring an end to a dangerous move by Blackstenius. She holds onto it a fraction too long and has no-one to pass to.
Nervy moments now as Caicedo threatens down the right for Real, but Arsenal counter to huge roars of encouragement...
And van Domselaar denies Caicedo again! It’s an absolutely crucial intervention as the Colombian sprints down the left, gets past Williamson, but it’s palmed away by the keeper.
Two corners in quick succession for Real...
DISALLOWED GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:47 , Flo Clifford90 mins: The flag goes up again for Russo! She sprints onto a lovely ball and it’s a fabulous finish, but she barely has time to celebrate before it’s offside.
Just before that she had another chance as Little passed into space for Foord, who outwitted her defender down the left, but laid it off for Russo - who was immediately blocked by Lakrar.
Another sub by Slegers as Little is replaced by Stina Blackstenius. SIX minutes of added time.
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:43 , Flo Clifford85 mins: McCabe has hit the deck and looks in some pain as the medics come on. Russo goes for a chat with Slegers as we see a replay of Arsenal’s goals. Big smiles all round
McCabe limps off for some treatment and we resume play - no, she’s back on. Into the final five (ish) minutes at the Emirates. Have Real got a surprise in store, or can Russo get a first Arsenal hat-trick?
Chance! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:40 , Flo Clifford83 mins: Another golden chance for Russo! She’s one-on-one against Misa but the keeper collects.
Free-kick to Arsenal as Foord is fouled just outside the box and Real Madrid are quite miffed. Mead goes for goal but it clears the bar as well as the wall.
The big screen reads 22,517 in the crowd - a new record attendance for a Champions League quarter-final in the UK. They’ve been treated to a cracking second half in particular tonight.
Chance! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:3880 mins: Handball by Real and a free-kick in a dangerous place for Arsenal.
Mead whips in the delivery but Lakrar heads it away! Dealt with well, but Arsenal now win a corner on the opposite side. McCabe attempts to find Russo but Misa catches it instead.
Russo comes again but Mendez doggedly gets in the way. That hat-trick is still eluding the England international, and she misses another chance as she knocks a header from another corner by Mead wide.
Subs: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:34 , Flo Clifford76 mins: Another chance for Russo, in nearly identical circumstances as she receives it from the right, but in any case it was offside too. Replays show it was in fact Kelly who was offside in the build-up to that disallowed goal.
Changes for Real now as captain Olga Carmona comes off for Alba Redondo, and Yasmim and Feller come on for Angeldahl and Bruun.
Subs: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:30 , Flo Clifford73 mins: Substitutions for Arsenal - Maanum is replaced by Lia Walti, and a beaming Kelly comes off for Beth Mead.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:29 , Flo Clifford70 mins: Hat-trick for Russo!
First Caldentey jinks into the box and it falls to Russo, but she slips and can’t get enough on it so it’s easy enough for Misa to gather.
But no bother, she quickly gets onto the ball from Maanum on the right and slides it beyond Mendez and Misa - but it’s ruled offside, to the boos of the crowd.
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:26 , Flo Clifford69 mins: The Real players will surely have nightmares about Chloe Kelly after this game. She passes in from the right again but this time Angeldahl deals with it quickly.
Fox links up with Kelly well again but her cross rolls out for a corner - Arsenal’s ninth, compared to nil for Real.
Russo nods the delivery wide.
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:21 , Flo Clifford64 mins: McCabe whips in a delivery to Little at the far post but she knocks it just to the right of goal. A free header wasted there.
Caicedo hassles McCabe, who passes back to van Domselaar, but immediately we’re back down the other end. Oohs and ahhs as Misa nearly gets caught out again.
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid (agg 3-2)
21:17 , Flo Clifford59 mins: GOAL! Advantage Arsenal!
Kelly wins a free-kick, McCabe floats it in, and Catley knocks down for Russo! A great team goal with bodies everywhere in box, and Russo gets a high right foot to slam it into the back of the net.
From 2-0 down to 3-2 up, some night for Arsenal so far.
Arsenal 2-0 Real Madrid (agg 2-2)
21:14 , Flo Clifford57 mins: Williamson wins a free-kick off Bruun as the Real forward is through on goal, and is in the thick of the action a minute later as Caicedo catches her in the face.
She’s on the ground for a little while but seems okay.
Kelly pushes down the right again but Real are a bit more organised at the back, and Misa comes out to nab the ball before Russo can get there.
Arsenal 2-0 Real Madrid (agg 2-2)
21:09 , Flo Clifford52 mins: Two minutes and 48 seconds between those two goals. Whatever Slegers said at half-time, it’s clearly worked, and we’re all square at the Emirates.
Kelly takes a touch and now has a punt for herself, but it’s way over the bar.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Real Madrid (agg 2-2)
21:07 , Flo Clifford48 mins: A quickfire double! Kelly once again powers down the right, crosses in to Caldentey, and she nods a lovely header straight past Misa to wipe away the memory of that chance she missed in the first half. Two assists for Kelly in quick succession.
The crowd are absolutely loving this.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Real Madrid (agg 1-2)
21:04 , Flo Clifford45 mins: Just what Arsenal needed! It’s Kelly of course who floats in a lovely cross as Arsenal press rapidly up the pitch, and Russo is at the far post to slide it past a diving Misa. No offside, the Gunners have clawed one back!
Second half: Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
21:02 , Flo CliffordHere we go... can Arsenal salvage this tie?
Half-time: Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:54 , Flo CliffordA frustrating first half for Arsenal, who had plenty of possession and plenty of chances - most courtesy of lovely Kelly crosses - but struggled in the final third and were nearly caught out by a Real counter-attack at the death.
In fact it was Angeldahl who had the best shot of the entire half, followed by Caicedo, with van Domselaar’s neat double save sparing the Gunners’ blushes.
Only 45 minutes left to pull back two goals, preferably three, and keep their Champions League dreams alive.
Half-time: Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:46 , Flo Clifford45 mins: Massive roar from the crowd as Kelly sprints down the middle, passing forward for Foord to run onto, but there’s not quite enough pace on it.
Carmona puts off Russo and the ball rolls tamely out, and that’s the last attack of the first half. The clock is ticking for Arsenal to get something out of this.
Chance! Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:44 , Flo Clifford43 mins: And Caicedo hits the post! The flag goes up anyway, but the Colombian had the better of van Domselaar there. Huge missed chance for the visitors.
Maanum gets it down the other end but it drifts wide!
Chance! Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:43 , Flo Clifford42 mins: Real danger for Arsenal! The visitors immediately threaten on the counter but van Domselaar saves the day.
She palms away Angeldahl’s attempt and is quickly back up to save Caicedo’s shot after her defenders fail to deal with the move.
Caicedo, and Real, are looking much more lively now.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:41 , Flo Clifford40 mins: Kelly crosses towards Foord, another sublime delivery, but Misa punches away.
Arsenal have a lot of momentum at the moment but are just struggling with that final ball.
Carmona finds space down the left as Real counter but Arsenal push back - and again, can’t do anything with it.
Chance! Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:35 , Flo Clifford35 mins: Arsenal win a corner, played short by McCabe to Kelly, but it’s hijacked by Real and Athenea gets it down the other end for van Domselaar - who may be grateful for something to do - to collect.
Russo delivers a lovely cross at the backline but Foord heads it way over the bar - and goes flying to the ground under pressure from Garcia!
Arsenal immediately come again. Kelly tries to catch out Misa in the box but the keeper knocks it down and sprints to gather! Real’s defending hasn’t been pretty, but it’s been functional so far.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:31 , Flo Clifford30 mins: Just as I write that Caicedo jinks through a crowd of Arsenal shirts, but another Real move fizzles out.
Fox tees up Kelly, who delivers another great cross, but slightly too high for anyone to get on the end of. The Man City loanee has looked dangerous so far and flicks a ball for Caldentey to run onto but it drifts harmlessly beyond the backline.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:26 , Flo Clifford26 mins: Cleared by Real.
Lakrar does well to slide in on Russo and snuff out a promising run down the right.
Williamson goes down in the box clutching the back of her neck as Arsenal pile the pressure on again, before Bruun makes a mess of an attempted ball to Caicedo - who has had little to do so far - in a rare push by Real down the other end.
Kelly floats in a lovely cross but there’s no one to convert!
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:23 , Flo Clifford22 mins: Another chorus of boos as Garcia wins a free-kick for a challenge by Russo, with the ref’s legs nearly getting tangled in the process.
Still no shots on target as yet. Arsenal have had 68% possession but haven’t been able to take advantage, especially of the visitors’ somehwat porous defence.
McCabe wins a free-kick to the left of the 18-yard box.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:20 , Flo Clifford20 mins: Williamson floats a long ball to Fox but Carmona does well to nick possession.
Another Arsenal move down the right comes to naught but it seems a matter of time until Real’s defence get caught out.
Boos from the very vocal crowd as Angeldahl is not judged to have handled as she goes down under pressure.
Chance! Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:16 , Flo Clifford15 mins: Kelly takes two corners in quick succession but Arsenal can’t make anything of either.
Caldentey runs onto a loose ball down the right but her tight-angled shot flies across goal! She could have done with someone to cross to.
Kelly attempts to curl one into the far corner but it floats wide. Still all Arsenal at the moment.
CHANCE! Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:13 , Flo Clifford11 mins: Huge missed chance for Arsenal - it’s a good delivery but Caldentey connects awkwardly to just knock it the wrong side of the post!
She looks frustrated with that, and rightly so.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:11 , Flo Clifford10 mins: Bruun takes out McCabe with a rather enthusiastic challenge and Arsenal win the game’s first free-kick.
Kelly gets a great ball into the box and Misa dives to gather, before Russo miscontrols in a dangerous spot and Real clear for an Arsenal corner.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:08 , Flo Clifford7 mins: It’s a bright start by Arsenal, probing in the box, with Real Madrid forced to scramble to clear a couple of times.
Williamson delivers a long ball to Fox but she can’t control it and it rolls over the back line.
Arsenal 0-0 Real Madrid (agg 0-2)
20:05 , Flo Clifford3 mins: Arsenal know they need an early goal and endeavour to get the ball to Foord in the box, but Williamson’s cross is turned away.
The hosts are enjoying a spell of early possession but Lakrar and Carmona get in the way of a move down the right, before Misa easily collects a punt at goal.
KICK-OFF! Arsenal vs Real Madrid
20:01 , Flo CliffordHere we go!
The crowd are already making themselves heard and, in good news, the pitch looks much better than the disastrous surface in use last week.
Alessia Russo gets us underway.
Almost ready for kick-off
19:57 , Flo CliffordThe teams are walking out, the crowd has enjoyed the light show, and we’re nearly ready to get underway.
Over 21,000 tickets were sold for this match, with the record for a Women's Champions League quarter-final in the UK set to be broken.
Can Arsenal repay the Emirates’ support with a win? Let’s see...
Last time out
19:53 , Flo CliffordArsenal will be hoping to avoid a repeat of these scenes...
Alberto Toril: 'We have to be fully focused'
19:45 , Flo CliffordAnd an update from Real Madrid manager Alberto Toril, speaking at the pre-match press conference:
“We know it's going to be a difficult game.
“We're up against opposition with a range of strengths. We have the utmost respect for them and despite our good result in the opener, they'll surely be keen to put us under pressure in front of their fans.
"We're ready to put on a good display and manage the moments in the game well. We have to be fully focused, with high concentration levels and confidence if we want to come through.”
Renee Slegers: Fans 'give us that extra edge'
19:40 , Flo Clifford“We want to balance tomorrow,” Slegers said ahead of this crucial second leg. “Obviously, we're aware of Real Madrid's threat as well, but we know what we need to do tomorrow, so we’ll try to make the right decisions. We have a lot of quality in the squad, both from a starting and a finishing perspective.
"When we're together with the fans, we're at our best. We can create something magical, and they give us that extra edge. So we really thrive at the Emirates.”
How have the two sides fared this week?
19:30 , Flo CliffordRenee Slegers’ side returned to winning ways with an impressive 4-0 win over Liverpool at the weekend and they will need a similar performance against the Spanish side.
But Real Madrid will be full of confidence after securing a first-ever victory over rivals and European champions Barcelona at the weekend, winning 3-1.
How to watch
19:20 , Flo CliffordViewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with live coverage beginning at 7.30pm GMT. A live stream will be available to subscribers via discovery+, or for free via Dazn’s YouTube channel.
Kick-off is at 8pm at the Emirates.
Can Arsenal bounce back after last week's defeat?
19:10 , Flo CliffordThis is Arsenal’s 16th UWCL quarter-final and the opening leg in Spain was their first defeat of the campaign, after the Gunners won five of their six group games and drew one to finish above Bayern Munich, Juventus and Valerenga.
That gave them the advantage of a home second leg, and they’ll need all the support of the Emirates crowd to overturn a two-goal deficit and advance to the semi-finals for the eighth time.
But they may also be hoping for the pressure of the situation to get to Real Madrid, who are appearing in just their second quarter-final in the competition and have never reached the last four.
Team news - Real Madrid
19:04 , Flo CliffordAthenea starts for Real Madrid, replacing the injured Melanie Leupolz. Caroline Weir, who scored two goals against Barcelona midweek from the bench, returns to the starting line-up but drops into midfield.
Real Madrid XI: Misa, Sheila García, María Méndez, Lakrar, Olga Carmona, Toletti, Angeldahl, Weir, Linda Caicedo, Bruun, Athenea del Castillo
Substitutes: Yasmim, Noemí Bejarano, Carla Camacho, Irune Dorado, N. Feller, Sofía Fuente, Laia López, C. Møller, Eva Navarro, Alba Redondo, Elsa Santos, Antônia
Team news - Arsenal
18:53 , Flo CliffordLittle has been cleared to play after taking a knock against Liverpool mid-week, with the same starting XI from that 4-0 win.
Arsenal XI: van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Mariona, Little (C), McCabe, Maanum, Foord, Kelly, Russo
Substitutes: Zinsberger, Williams, Codina, Ilestedt, Nighswonger, Reid, Walti, Cooney-Cross, Pelova, Mead, Kafaji, Blackstenius
Team news incoming...
18:40 , Flo CliffordWe’re expecting team news shortly, with Kim Little a doubt for Arsenal after she was forced off in the second half of their last outing, a 4-0 win over Liverpool.
Lotte Wubben-Moy remains unavailable for selection, but Victoria Pelova made her return against Liverpool from a long-term knee injury and will add depth to the hosts’ bench.
The visitors will be missing Rocio Galvez and Teresa Abelleira, who have both been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Melanie Leupolz will join the absentees after she tore a ligament in last week’s match.
Vivianne Miedema deals Chelsea first defeat of season as Man City seize first-leg lead
18:30 , Flo CliffordElsewhere in the Women’s Champions League, substitute Vivianne Miedema scored a brace as Manchester City inflicted Chelsea's first defeat of the season by beating them 2-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Joie Stadium.
Miedema, having come off the bench for the start of the second half, put City in front on the hour mark, rifling in the rebound when Hannah Hampton tipped Laia Aleixandri's header against the crossbar.
And after Chelsea substitute Johanna Rytting Kaneryd had struck the bar at the other end in the 80th minute, Miedema added her second with two minutes of normal time remaining to give City a two-goal advantage heading into Thursday’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Vivianne Miedema deals Chelsea first defeat of season as Man City seize control
Women's Champions League quarter-finals
18:16 , Flo CliffordA reminder of the quarter-finallists from the draw in February:
Real Madrid vs Arsenal (first leg: 2-0)
Manchester City vs Chelsea (first leg: 2-0)
Wolfsburg vs FC Barcelona (first leg: 4-1)
Bayern Munich vs Lyon (first leg: 0-2)
Arsenal vs Real Madrid
18:13 , Flo CliffordKick-off is rapidly approaching at the Emirates.
Whoever wins tonight will play Lyon for a place in the final in Lisbon on Saturday 24 May.
The French side thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1 in the earlier kick-off to go through to the semis 6-1 on aggregate.
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman stresses player safety concerns amid “dangerously” poor pitch conditions
18:00 , Flo CliffordAnd Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman also raised concerns over player safety after the match was overshadowed by poor playing conditions.
Held at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, the 6,000-seater home of Real's reserves, questions were raised at why the contest wasn’t staged at the Bernabeu, which was available during the men's international break.
Wiegman stresses player safety concerns amid poor pitch conditions
Ian Wright fumes over ‘disgrace’ of a pitch as Arsenal lose to Real Madrid
17:45 , Flo CliffordFollowing criticism of the pitch at Derby’s Pride Park for the Women’s League Cup final last week, the standard of the surface for a marquee women’s football fixture came under scrutiny for a second time in a matter of days, with Ian Wright branding the pitch for Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League defeat as a “disgrace”.
The visitors conceded a 2-0 first-leg deficit as Real Madrid made a strong start to their quarter-final ahead of the second half of the tie at the Emirates Stadium next week.
Ian Wright fumes over ‘disgrace’ of a pitch as Arsenal lose to Real Madrid
Arsenal’s trophy hopes dealt huge blow by Real Madrid and sodden surface
17:30 , Flo CliffordMuch of the focus after the game was on the substandard playing surface at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium, with both sides struggling for fluency on a waterlogged, muddy pitch - but Arsenal the worse off.
Arsenal’s trophy hopes dealt huge blow by Real Madrid and sodden surface
Real Madrid take two-goal advantage to the Emirates
17:15 , Flo CliffordReal Madrid secured a two-goal first-leg advantage as Arsenal struggled in on a sodden surface in their Women’s Champions League quarter-final.
A wretched night and poor playing conditions in the Spanish capital made it far from an evening for fluent football, but the hosts struck twice on the counter-attack to take a strong lead to the Emirates Stadium next week. Colombian Linda Caicedo capitalised on a poor error from Leah Williamson - the Lionesses captain miscontrolling a skidding ball - to put Real ahead in a first half of few chances.
Arsenal improved after the break with both Caitlin Foord and Chloe Kelly introduced at the interval, though could not beat impressive home goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez. That allowed Athenea to extend the lead late on, firing past Manuela Zinsberger, to leave the Spanish side in control of the tie as they prepare to travel to London next week.
Real Madrid vs Arsenal LIVE: Latest result and reaction from Women’s Champions League
Good afternoon
17:01 , Flo CliffordHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the second leg of Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
The Gunners have a 2-0 deficit to make up from the away leg, otherwise their Champions League campaign is over.
