Arsenal vs Real Madrid live: Alessia Russo brace fires hosts to comeback win over Real Madrid | OneFootball

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 and get their Women’s Champions League campaign back on track.

An evenly balanced first half ended in Real Madrid’s favour as a moment of brilliance from Caroline Weir carved open the Gunners’ defence, the Scot volleying home against her former side late in the first half.

But two sublime headers by Alessia Russo lifted the mood at Meadow Park after the restart, with Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead providing the assists for their England teammate from two set-pieces.

The result leaves the title holders on two wins and two losses from their four league phase games. But it was a glum evening for Madrid again months on from their quarter-final defeat last season, as Arsenal completed another remarkable comeback on home turf to keep their hopes of defending their title alive.

Alessia Russo: 'We have to be locked in'

She continues: “I feel like I understand the nine [role] more. As a ten I really have to lock in defensively because it's such a different responsibility. I will play anywhere. I have to adapt my game a little bit, they are both different but ultimately I want to be as close to the goal as possible, in between the sticks.

Is this what they need to get their season properly off the mark? “I hope so. We go off to the international break now so people can reset and refresh ready for a massive block before Christmas. We've got Leuven and Twente but we need to win both. We have to be locked in as soon as we get back from internationals.”

Alessia Russo: 'We know what it takes, we've got it in us'

Arsenal goalscorer Alessia Russo tells Disney+: "It was a really important win. We've probably not had the results that we've wanted in the last block, but it was important to come here and pick up a result tonight in the Champions League, so we are really happy.

“Maybe not pressure as such [on Arsenal as title holders] but more that our standards are really high and we want to be winning as much as possible. We know what it takes, we know we've got it in us, and I don't think we've seen it as consistently as we would have liked, so we were happy to get the win and three points.

On her first goal, she says: "When Chloe is on the pitch I know what kind of delivery she is looking to get in the box. We spoke about the areas I like to attack and the areas she likes to get the ball in, and I just got on the end of it.”

Arsenal 2-1 Real Madrid

90+3 mins: Arsenal counter - this is a breathless spell. A long, low ball finds Blackstenius, through on goal, but it runs away from her a little and her marker smothers.

Cooney-Cross comes off for Laia Codina as the hosts try to shore things up.

Flo Clifford19 November 2025 21:51

Arsenal 2-1 Real Madrid

90+2 mins: Redondo sprints down the left, latching onto Weir’s ball, but her shot is poor and van Domselaar lands on it gratefully. Good chance for Real Madrid, wasted.

Flo Clifford19 November 2025 21:50

Arsenal 2-1 Real Madrid

90 mins: FIVE minutes added on. Can Arsenal hold on?

Flo Clifford19 November 2025 21:49

Arsenal 2-1 Real Madrid

90 mins: Arsenal continue to push. Foord lays it off for Mead on the right flank, with Fox there to make a fine overlapping run... but her shot is blocked.

Mead takes the resulting corner, but it’s too deep. Hinds collects and finds Wubben-Moy; Arsenal clear but only as far as Caldentey.