Soccer Sport

Arsenal to face Chelsea in Champions League after beating OH Leuven

Editorial Team
/ 2 min read
Arsenal striker Alessia Russo celebrating a goal against OH Leuven in the rain at Meadow Park

Arsenal have set up a Women’s Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea after Alessia Russo’s double secured a comfortable aggregate victory over OH Leuven.

Renee Slegers’ side navigated tricky conditions at Meadow Park to seal a 3-1 win on the night and a commanding 7-1 triumph on aggregate.

The result ensures the Gunners reach the last eight of the competition for a joint-record 17th time.

London rivals await in last eight

Attention now turns to a mouth-watering two-legged showdown against Women’s Super League rivals Chelsea.

The defending European champions will approach the tie with confidence, having maintained an unbeaten record against the Blues domestically this season.

While progress was all but assured following a 4-0 first-leg victory, the hosts were made to work on a difficult evening with heavy rain and gusting winds affecting the pitch.

Russo strikes early in rain

England forward Russo appeared to settle any lingering nerves after 23 minutes, swivelling inside the box to fire home the opener.

However, the Belgian champions responded with spirit, forcing the North Londoners into uncharacteristic defensive errors.

Sara Pusztai equalised from close range shortly after, with the goal awarded following a VAR intervention to overturn an initial offside decision.

Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar was earlier forced into a sharp one-on-one save to deny Jada Conijnenberg as the visitors threatened to expose Arsenal’s high line.

Caldentey penalty seals progress

The hosts reasserted control after the break, with Spanish attacker Mariona Caldentey restoring the lead from the penalty spot in the 65th minute.

The spot-kick was won by Caitlin Foord, whose driving run down the left flank drew a foul inside the area.

Frida Maanum had earlier missed a point-blank header, but the home side’s dominance eventually told.

Russo capped the performance in the dying seconds, sliding in her second of the night to confirm a professional display from the English giants.