Arsenal Knock Out Real Madrid From UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Finals
- Arsenal Women produced a big performance to kick out Real Madrid Women from the 2024/25 UWCL
- This qualification of the Gunners set the tone for the upcoming Arsenal vs Real Madrid in the men's category
- The performance sets the tone for Mikel Arteta to take inspiration from Renée Slegers as he plots to edge out the veteran Carlo Ancelotti from the competition
In a dramatic display of resilience and determination, Arsenal Women triumphed over Real Madrid Women in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) on Wednesday night.
The Gunners’ 3-0 victory at Emirates Stadium in Holloway overturned a 2-0 deficit from the first leg, propelling them into the semi-finals.
This stunning comeback not only highlights the growing strength of the Gunners women’s football but also sets the stage for an intriguing showdown between the men's teams of Arsenal and Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 last eight.
Source: Getty Images
Dramatic comeback
The tie was finely poised after Arsenal Women suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first leg at Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on March 18 after the Real Madrid men's side defeated Atletico Madrid in the UEFA CL Round of 16 as extensively previewed by YEN.com.gh
The stakes were high for the second leg at Emirates Stadium, and it was clear that Renée Slegers' team needed an outstanding performance to reverse the deficit. The Arsenal formation didn’t disappoint, with Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey playing pivotal roles in the Gunners' dominant victory.
It took only 46 minutes into the first half for Arsenal to make a statement. Russo found the back of the net to give her side the lead, reducing the aggregate score to 2-1 in Real Madrid’s favor. Just three minutes later, Caldentey struck to level the tie on aggregate, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Russo would then seal the deal with another goal in the 59th minute, completing the turnaround and securing a place in the semi-finals for the North London club as Lyon awaits in the semis.
A night to remember for Arsenal Women
The Gunners’ 3-0 victory on the night (3-2 on aggregate) was a testament to their resolve and quality. Manager Renée Slegers will be delighted with her team's response after the first leg's disappointing performance.
The tactical adjustments made in the second leg, along with clinical finishing from Russo and Caldentey, proved to be the difference.
Arsenal Women now move on to the semi-finals of the UWCL, where they will face French side Olympique Lyon Women in what promises to be another thrilling contest.
Arsenal vs. Real Madrid in the men's competition
While Arsenal Women celebrated their victory, the attention now turns to the men’s category, where the two clubs will meet in a high-stakes quarter-final clash in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 season.
The first leg will take place at the Emirates Stadium on April 8, 2025, with the return leg scheduled for April 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
This match-up between Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, and Real Madrid, led by the experienced Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti, promises to be a captivating affair.
Both clubs have been in strong form domestically and in Europe, making this quarter-final tie one of the most anticipated in the competition.
Source: Getty Images
Arsenal have been playing some of the most exciting football in the Premier League under Arteta, with their blend of youth and experience causing problems for even the top sides in Europe with Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey a key part.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, are perennial Champions League contenders, boasting a squad filled with international stars and Champions League pedigree such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Luka Modric. The stage is now set for two footballing giants to clash in what could be a thrilling encounter.
Thomas Partey's high rating vs Madagascar
YEN.com.gh earlier reported the player ratings of the Ghana national football team players in their 3-0 away win against Madagascar with Arsenal's midfield machine Thomas Partey earning a significant grade after netting a brace.
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Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Gariba Raubil (Sports Editor) Gariba Raubil is a skilled content writer and journalist with over 14 years of experience in sports journalism. He is a CAF and FIFA-accredited reporter and has been a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) since 2020. He has covered several international tournaments including two All Africa Games in 2015 and 2023. He also reported on the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and the 2018 Women’s AFCON. Email: gariba.raubil@yen.com.gh
Samuel Gitonga (Copy editor) Samuel Gitonga is a Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh. He holds a Bachelor of Broadcast Journalism Degree from the Multimedia University of Kenya. He has over 7 years’ experience in the digital journalism industry. He started out his career at the Kenya News Agency and proceeded to work for several reputable media outlets in Nairobi.
