Live Blog: Alessia Russo scores brace of headers to help Arsenal Women beat Real Madrid
Arsenal have lost to Lyon and Bayern Munich in Europe either side of beating Benfica
Chloe Kelly comes into the side, along with Frida Maanum and Olivia Smith. Credit- Suzy Lycett @boodlepim
Live BLog Wednesday Nov 19th
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Full time: Arsenal 2-1 Real Madrid- a three game winless run is over.
90+3’ Codina on for Cooney-Cross, Arsenal’s final change. 2-1
90+1’ Let-off for Arsenal as Wubben-Moy loses the ball but Redondo shoots straight at van Domselaar on the break. 2-1
90+1’ A nervy, potentially anyway, five minutes are added on. 2-1
90’ Mead’s corner evades everyone in red and white before Hinds’ cross is blocked. 2-1
88’ Assistant coach Aaron D’Antino is booked before Hinds and Blackstenius come on for McCabe and Russo- no hat-trick for her. 2-1
83’ Yasmim is replaced by 18-year-old forward Santiago. 2-1
82’ A scare for Arsenal as a cross is whipped across the face of goal and Caicedo can’t get there, before van Domselaar saves a long range effort. 2-1
80’ Russo’s making some runs in behind now- the flag is up again after her shot is saved once more. 2-1
78’ And now she shoots wide from the edge of the box after some great footwork! 2-1
77’ Chance for Russo’s hat-trick but the flag is up, and she puts it wide. That was tight, by the way. 2-1
74’ Dangerous from Caicedo as Catley just gets a foot in before Yasmim shoots wide form outside the box. Should have been a foul by Mead too. 2-1
70’ Keukelaar, Redondo and Dorado are on. 2-1
68’ Four goals in two games against Real Madrid for Alessia Russo, four this season in the Champions League. 2-1
67’ Goal! Russo with another header and Arsenal lead! 2-1
64’ Arsenal change both wingers. Kelly and Smith are replaced by Mead and Foord. 1-1
62’ Mead is preparing to come on. 1-1
61’ Close! Smith just slips as she shoots and Misa can save after Real didn’t clear. 1-1
59’ First change for Madrid as Navarro is replaced by Garcia. 1-1
58’ Cheeky backheel by Yasmim but that’s too soft and van Domselaar saves, before Russo’s shot is blocked up the other end. 1-1
56’ Smith cuts inside and her shot is straight at Misa, who fumbles slightly. Kelly then leaves one in on the keeper and is booked. 1-1
54’ The goal stands! Celebrations again around Meadow Park- it’s Russo’s third in Europe this season, and her third in two games against this opponent. 1-1
What a header that is, powering it over Misa- a loopy finish. VAR will check for something…
53’ Goal! Russo heads past Misa!!! 1-1
49’ Smith drives into the area and her powerful effort is blocked by Mendez. 0-1
47’ Great to see that Myles Lewis-Skelly is here cheering on the Gunners. 0-0
46’ The second half is underway. Arsenal give the ball away and Weir finds Caicedo, who shoots into the side netting. 0-0
Our weekly podcast episode will be out tonight, as we’re recording straight after full time. Make sure to subscribe to the Gooner Fanzine Arsenal Women Podcast on YouTube, or wherever you listen.
It’s not been great, has it? Weir’s volley the only bright moment for either side, and Real have something to defend.
Half time: Arsenal 0-1 Real Madrid
45+1’ One added minute. 0-0
43’ Goal! Former Gunner Caroline Weir with a thumping volley to put Madrid ahead. 0-0
43’ A couple of fouls are frustrating the home fans and players, with Madrid in no rush over these dead-ball situations. 0-0
37’ Russo has spent almost the entire game so far with her back to goal- Arsenal will want to create more for her. 0-0
34’ Well, there was some contact from Dabritz but not enough for a foul. Play on. 0-0
33’ Smith goes down in the box but that doesn’t look like a penalty. VAR will probably have a look in the background. 0-0
32’ Good work from Fox up against Athenea one on one, blocking behind for a corner. Headed away by Maanum and Russo clears. 0-0
28’ Kelly’s corner is claimed well by Misa, who was fouled in the process by Maanum affording to the referee. 0-0
25’ Chance! Direct move as Kelly threads Maanum in behind and her first time cross finds Russo. Misa saves her shot down low but the flag goes up. 0-0
22’ Deep cross from Kelly falls in between Maanum and Russo, a bit of luck for Madrid. 0-0
21’ Wubben-Moy looking for the early switch to Smith often. 0-0
18’ Arsenal are being frustrated by the Spanish visitors who are well organised and holding off the Gunners. 0-0
12’ Chance for Smith who gets into the box and shoots high and wide. She’s playing on the left and Kelly right. 0-0
11’ Catley has played the most minutes of any outfield Arsenal player so far this season. 0-0
8’ Poor from Wubben-Moy who gives the ball away and Madrid break, with Navarro’s shot blocked after Caicedo broke forward. 0-0
5’ Arsenal’s first corner of the game is won by Smith, and Kelly’s delivery is headed just wide by Maanum! Probably should have scored. 0-0
3’ Caldentey’s shot and Cooney-Cross drives for goal but her effort is blocked. 0-0
1’ underway! 0-0
Arsenal are looking to avoid going four games without a win.
In the early games, Manchester United lost 5-2 away to Wolfsburg whilst Lyon came from 3-0 down to draw with Juventus. So, this’ll be 0-0… well, it’s unlikely, knowing these two sides.
Here come the teams!
It’s a near sellout at Meadow Park- and it’s freezing!
Arsenal are 11th, narrowly within the UWCL play off places, with one win in three. Madrid are 6th.
Three changes for Arsenal as Kelly, Smith and Maanum come in for Foord, Mead and Blackstenius. Arsenal drew 0-0 at Tottenham in the WSL on Sunday.
Six Madrid players are one booking away from missing their next match.
Subs: Laia, Téllez, Rocío Gálvez, Alba Redondo, Sheila García, Bennison, Holmgaard, Andersson, Keukelaar, Dorado, Cristóbal, Santiago.
Real Madrid: Misa Rodriguez; Yasmim, Maria Mendez, Lakrar, Eva Navarro; Weir, Dabritz, Angeldahl; Athenea, Caicedo, Feller.
Subs: Borbe, Liddiard, Codina, Mead, Foord, Pelova, Nighswonger, Hinds, Blackstenius, Harwood.
Arsenal: van Domselaar; Hinds, Catley, Wubben-Moy, Fox; Caldentey, Cooney-Cross; Foord, Maanum, Smith; Russo.
Team news is in.
Good evening and welcome to our coverage of Arsenal v Real Madrid in the Women's Champions League.