Alessia Russo's double rescues Arsenal in Champions League comeback against Real Madrid
Posted on Nov 23, 2025 by Zander Beaumont
On a crisp Wednesday night in London, Alessia Russo didn’t just score two goals—she resurrected Arsenal’s season. With a pair of powerful headers in the second half, the 26-year-old England striker turned what looked like another crushing disappointment into a defining victory as Arsenal Women beat Real Madrid 2-1 at Meadow Park on November 19, 2025. The win wasn’t just about points; it was about survival. With their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread after a 3-2 collapse in Bavaria and a winless streak in the Women’s Super League, this was the moment Arsenal either clawed back or crumbled. They chose to fight.
Back Against the Wall
The pressure on Renée Slegers, Arsenal’s 35-year-old interim head coach, had been building for weeks. After a goalless draw with Tottenham and that devastating loss to Bayern Munich—where her team surrendered a 2-0 halftime lead—questions were mounting. Fans wondered if the club’s European dominance was slipping. With just three points from their first four Champions League matches, Arsenal sat near the bottom of the league phase. A loss here, against a Real Madrid side hungry to climb the table, would’ve made qualification nearly impossible. And then came the first-half blow. Caroline Weir, the 34-year-old Scottish veteran and former Arsenal midfielder, stunned the home crowd with a curling volley in the 43rd minute. The goal felt symbolic: a player who once wore the red and white now delivering the dagger. At halftime, the stadium was quiet. Even the usual chants of "Arsenal, Arsenal" had faded.The Second Half Surge
But something changed in the dressing room. Slegers didn’t yell. She didn’t need to. She reminded them: "We’ve been here before." And they had. Last season, Arsenal overturned a 2-0 deficit against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals with three goals in 13 minutes. Russo had scored twice then, too. This time, she did it again. Just six minutes into the second half, Alessia Russo rose above two defenders to meet a looping cross from Chloe Kelly—a perfect, looping header that nestled into the top corner. The roar that followed wasn’t just relief. It was recognition. Then, in the 67th minute, Beth Mead delivered another corner, and Russo was there again. This time, she didn’t just head it—she *punished* it. A thunderous, full-extension header that left Real Madrid’s keeper with no chance. The stadium exploded. Fans hugged strangers. Players collapsed to their knees. It was the kind of moment that turns seasons. Fotmob’s stats told the story: Russo had three shots, won all six of her duels, and won both of her aerial battles—both resulting in goals. She was everywhere. And yet, she wasn’t done. A late chance from close range was saved, and her hat-trick slipped away. But she didn’t care. Not after what she’d just done.Defensive Grit and Emotional Resonance
What made this win more than just a comeback was the defense. For once, Arsenal held firm. The back four, marshaled by captain Leah Williamson, didn’t just survive—they commanded. Real Madrid’s Alba Redondo had a golden chance in stoppage time, but her shot was straight at Daphne van Domselaar, the 24-year-old Dutch keeper who made the save with calm authority. "We can score all we want," Russo said post-match, "but if we’re not defensively solid, I don’t believe you win championships." It was a rare, mature comment from a player often praised for her finishing but rarely for her work rate. She wasn’t just celebrating goals. She was demanding standards. Slegers, visibly emotional, said: "We stayed calm. That’s what I’m most proud of." There were no dramatic team talks. No tactical overhauls. Just clarity. Focus. Trust.What This Means for the Future
The result moved Arsenal to ninth in the Champions League table with six points. Real Madrid, once thought to be a threat for top-four, dropped to sixth with seven. It’s tight. Too tight. But now, Arsenal control their destiny. Their next match—against FC Twente after the international break—is effectively a must-win for a top-eight finish and a knockout berth. According to Daily Cannon, a win there will all but seal qualification. This wasn’t just about one game. It was about identity. After months of inconsistency, Arsenal rediscovered what made them champions: resilience, belief, and a striker who refuses to let them fail.
Echoes of Last Season
The parallels are uncanny. Last March, Real Madrid won the first leg of their quarter-final 2-0 at the Bernabéu. No one expected a comeback. But at the Emirates, Arsenal scored three times in 13 minutes. Russo netted two. The stadium shook. The tournament watched. And now, history didn’t repeat—it evolved. This time, it was at home. This time, it was in the league phase. And this time, the stakes were even higher.What’s Next?
Arsenal’s next test is FC Twente on December 11. Then, they face Lyon in January—a potential European final preview. But for now, the focus is on momentum. Russo’s four Champions League goals this season put her on pace to surpass last year’s total. The defense, once a liability, is finding its rhythm. And Slegers? She’s no longer just an interim. She’s becoming the architect of a revival.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Alessia Russo’s performance compare to her previous Champions League campaigns?
Russo’s two goals against Real Madrid brought her 2025-26 Champions League tally to four—just three short of her total from last season, when she scored seven in the tournament as Arsenal lifted the trophy. Her efficiency is remarkable: all four goals this campaign have come from headers, and she’s converted 100% of her aerial attempts in the competition. Her 2024-25 campaign included a hat-trick against Wolfsburg and the decisive goal in the final against Lyon.
Why was this match so critical for Arsenal’s Champions League chances?
Before this win, Arsenal had taken only three points from their first four group matches and were in danger of finishing outside the top 12, which would’ve eliminated them from knockout contention. With nine teams competing for eight spots, every point matters. The victory moved them to six points, keeping them within one point of the top eight. A loss would’ve made qualification nearly impossible, especially with tough fixtures against Lyon and FC Twente still to come.
What role did Caroline Weir’s goal play in the psychological dynamic of the match?
Weir’s 43rd-minute goal wasn’t just a goal—it was a narrative bombshell. As a former Arsenal player who left for Real Madrid in 2023, her strike felt like betrayal to some fans. But more importantly, it exposed Arsenal’s lingering fragility. After conceding late in the first half, the team had to overcome not just the deficit, but the emotional weight of a former hero scoring against them. The way they responded—with composure and aggression—was a sign of mental growth.
How has Renée Slegers changed Arsenal’s approach since taking over?
Since stepping in as interim coach in November 2024, Slegers has shifted Arsenal’s focus from possession-based play to structured transitions and defensive discipline. She’s reduced reliance on individual brilliance and emphasized collective shape. Against Real Madrid, the team played with more compactness in midfield and higher pressing intensity. The result? Fewer goals conceded and more control in crucial moments. Her calm demeanor has steadied a squad that was visibly rattled under previous management.
What’s the significance of Arsenal’s upcoming match against FC Twente?
FC Twente currently sits seventh with eight points, just one ahead of Arsenal. A win for Arsenal would lift them into the top eight and guarantee a knockout spot, regardless of other results. A draw or loss, however, would leave them vulnerable to being overtaken by Real Madrid or Wolfsburg in the final matchday. With Twente’s strong home record and fast counter-attacking style, it’s no guarantee—but after this performance, Arsenal believe they can win anywhere.
Is this win a sign Arsenal can challenge for the Champions League title again?
Absolutely. This win proved they can win under pressure, recover from setbacks, and deliver when it matters. They’ve already beaten Lyon and Wolfsburg this season. With Russo in form, Mead orchestrating play, and van Domselaar growing into a world-class keeper, this team has the tools. But they’ll need to maintain this defensive consistency. If they do, they’re not just back in the race—they’re one of the favorites.