Arsenal Women earned a vital 2-1 win over Real Madrid at Meadow Park in the League phase of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The team needed a positive result as they had already lost twice in the competition. The match demanded focus, and the players delivered with a brave second-half display.
Renée Slegers made three changes to the side that drew the North London Derby. Olivia Smith and Chloe Kelly returned to the starting team.
Beth Mead and Caitlin Foord began on the bench. Frida Maanum also started in place of Stina Blackstenius, which pushed Alessia Russo into the central attacking role.
Arsenal could have taken an early lead. Maanum met a Kelly corner with a firm header, but the ball drifted wide of the far post.
It was a bright moment in a cagey opening spell where both sides worked hard to gain control.
Madrid struck first as the first half neared its end. Sara Däbritz won a free kick on the right after a foul by Mariona Caldentey. She delivered a dangerous ball into the box.
Steph Catley headed the cross away, but it dropped kindly for an unmarked Caroline Weir. She struck a clean volley that flew past Daphne van Domselaar as the visitors went ahead after 43 minutes.
The visitors continued with purpose at the start of the second half. Weir read a loose pass and released Linda Caicedo on the break. The forward sent her effort wide. Weir then tried a long-range shot, but Van Domselaar held firm.
Russo’s double turns the game around
Arsenal drew level after 52 minutes. Kelly sent another high cross into the box. Russo rose above María Méndez and directed a looping header over Misa Rodríguez to bring the match back to life.
Slegers made two changes after 63 minutes. Mead replaced the booked Kelly. Foord also came on for Smith. The fresh legs gave Arsenal more energy on the wings.
Katie McCabe then drove down the left after a clever pass from Caldentey. Her cross was blocked for a corner.
The home side took the lead from the resulting delivery. Mead swung in a fine ball. Russo found space and sent a powerful header into the net after 66 minutes.
Arsenal defended with real effort in the closing stages. Madrid pushed forward, but the back line stayed calm and cleared every threat. The final whistle brought relief and joy after a match that demanded total focus.
The win lifted Arsenal to ninth place in the League phase. They now have six points from four matches, and confidence will grow after this strong fightback.