A double from England forward Alessia Russo inspired Arsenal to pull off a remarkable comeback against Real Madrid and progress into the Women’s Champions League semi-finals.
It means England will have two Women’s Super League clubs in the last four with Chelsea and Manchester City set to do battle on Thursday night.
Chelsea were also in the headlines on Wednesday when its Supporters’ Trust sent a letter to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters calling for an investigation into the connections of co-owner Todd Boehly and ticket company Vivid Seats.
Arsenal stun Real Madrid
Arsenal knocked Real Madrid out of the Women’s Champions League
Arsenal knocked Real Madrid out of the Women’s Champions League(Adam Davy/PA)
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers insisted they still believed despite a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their quarter-final in Madrid last week and it proved the case.
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The Gunners delighted a crowd of 22,517 spectators, a record for an English team in a Champions League last-eight tie, with a dazzling spell of three goals in 14 second-half minutes.
Russo slide home the opener from a superb Chloe Kelly cross immediately after half-time and it was 2-0 after 49 minutes when Mariona Caldentey headed home another fine Kelly delivery.
A smart finish on the turn by Russo after a free-kick before the hour mark put Arsenal ahead in the tie for the first time as they set up a semi-final clash with Lyon.
Chelsea chase comeback
Chelsea will take inspiration from Arsenal’s success given they trail by two goals ahead of a quarter-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Everything Sonia Bompastor touched turned to gold until the first defeat of her reign was inflicted by Manchester City at Joie Stadium last Wednesday.
A double from Vivianne Miedema put City – under the interim management of Nick Cushing – on top, but Bompastor urged her team to have “no regrets” ahead of a mouthwatering night.
“We have never been in this situation this season but we are ready. I just want my players at the end of the game to not have any regrets,” Bompastor said.
Blues Boehly bashed over Vivid links
Todd Boehly felt the anger of Chelsea Supporters’ Trust on Wednesday after the fan group sent a letter to Premier League boss Masters urging an investigation into the club’s American co-owner.
Frustration centres around Boehly’s links to ticket exchange and resale company Vivid Seats, who list him as a director on its board.
Vivid Seats is on the Premier League’s “unauthorised ticket websites” list, but lists seats for Chelsea’s last league fixture of the season on May 18 as expensive as £442 for general admission.
A CST statement read: “Vivid Seats continues to list Premier League tickets for above face value at significantly inflated rates and our members have continued to indicate that Mr Boehly’s connection with Vivid Seats is a breach of trust and a clear conflict of interest.”
Boothroyd’s brave battle
LMA Member Aidy Boothroyd has issued the following statement through the League Managers Association.
🔗 https://t.co/fxSGef1dXe pic.twitter.com/PRnHnhGp6d
— LMA (@LMA_Managers) March 26, 2025
Ex-England Under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd revealed he has Parkinson’s on Wednesday.
A statement via the League Managers Association confirmed Boothroyd was first diagnosed in November 2021.
Boothroyd explained: “Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The news came as a massive shock to me, following what I expected to be my routine LMA Annual Health Assessment,
“It’s been tough, but now I feel a lot more able to come out and talk about these things.”
What’s on today?
Chelsea and Manchester City’ will do battle again
Chelsea and Manchester City’ will do battle again(Nick Potts/PA)
Away from Chelsea’s bid to topple Man City, Women’s Champions League holders Barcelona entertain Wolfsburg with a 4-1 advantage from the first leg.
In LaLiga, Barcelona resume their title challenge at home to Osasuna.
Elsewhere, Leyton Orient host Stevenage at Brisbane Road in a key fixture to keep alive their faint League One play-off hopes.