Arsenal conjured a three-goal flurry early in the second half to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit and win their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
Madrid held their two-goal advantage until half-time tonight, but it was Arsenal who led on aggregate by the hour mark as Alessia Russo scored either side of a Mariona Caldentey header, the result sending the Gunners into a semi-final against Lyon.
Key moments
34': Misa denies Kelly
46': Russo gives Arsenal hope
49': Mariona levels aggregate score
59': Russo puts Gunners ahead in tie
Match in brief: Second-half burst elates Arsenal
Arsenal opted to start with January loan signing Chloe Kelly and naturally pushed from the off, Mariona going close with a header. Madrid, though, were defending with the confidence of a side that had won a league game 3-1 at Barcelona on Sunday.
Kelly was a constant threat and she so nearly worked a loose ball past Misa Rodríguez, but Madrid forced Daphne van Domselaar into some saves late in the half and went in at the break with their two-goal advantage intact. However, within a minute of the restart, Mariona embarked on a run towards the right to feed Kelly, whose cross was swept in by Russo.
As it happened: Arsenal 3-0 Madrid (agg: 3-2)
Three minutes later, Kelly was the creator again as her delivery was met by a towering header from Mariona. Then, with just less than an hour gone, Arsenal took the lead in the tie as Russo hooked in after Steph Catley had headed back a Katie McCabe free-kick.
Arsenal were not letting up, with Russo determined to get her hat-trick and heading just wide before forcing a save from Misa and later a Maëlle Lakrar block. There was almost late drama at the other end as Linda Caicedo was played through, but Van Domselaar stood tall to ensure Madrid's wait to reach a first semi-final goes on.
Visa Player of the Match: Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Alessia Russo scored twice
Alessia Russo scored twiceArsenal FC via Getty Images
"With two goals, she produced the quality of finishes when it mattered. She showed clinical movement and touch from an early cross for the opener and her second proved the winner, her reactions keeping things alive in the second phase. She also demonstrated great pressing intensity in Arsenal's high press."UEFA Technical Observer Group
Faye Hackwell, match reporter
Arsenal perform a mighty comeback to continue their Champions League journey, which started all the way back in the first round of qualifying. They spoke about belief and their proven ability to bounce back in the build-up to this game, and the experience of the likes of Leah Williamson, Kim Little and McCabe, coupled with the energy and creativity of Russo and Mariona in attack, produced a whole team performance tonight. Madrid will take pride from their first-leg win and resilient defending in the opening half, but they came up against an Arsenal team that pushed and pushed until they got the goals they needed.
Reaction
To follow.
Key stats
This was only the second time a club has overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit in the quarter-finals, Arsenal themselves having achieved the feat against Torres in 2004/05 (losing 2-0 away before winning 4-1 at home).
Arsenal are through to their eighth semi-final, level with Frankfurt and Wolfsburg and trailing only Lyon (14), their upcoming opponents in the last four.
Arsenal had 18 efforts on goal to Madrid's four.
The crowd of 22,517 was a record for a UEFA women's club competition quarter-final in England.
Mariona Caldentey (left) headed Arsenal level in the tie
Mariona Caldentey (left) headed Arsenal level in the tieArsenal FC via Getty Images
Line-ups
Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little (Blackstenius 90), Maanum (Wälti 75), Mariona; Kelly (Mead 73), Russo, Foord
Real Madrid: Misa; Sheila García, María Méndez, Lakrar, Olga Carmona (Redondo 76); Toletti, Angeldahl (Yasmim), Weir; Linda Caicedo, Bruun (Feller 76), Athenea del Castillo
What's next?
Arsenal will face Lyon in the semi-finals on 19/20 and 26/27 April. Arsenal will be at home in the first leg.