Real Madrid lose in London

Real Madrid fell to defeat on Women’s Champions League matchday four. Pau Quesada’s team were unable to pick up any points against reigning European champions Arsenal at Meadow Park. Weir put the madridistas ahead with a sublime volley on the stroke of half-time (43’), but Russo turned the game around with two headers in the second half (53’ and 67’). 

Arsenal took control of the ball early on and sent off a series of warning shots. As the game wore on though, there was less and less danger around the madridista box and it became a more evenly matched affair. As half-time ticked around, our team broke the deadlock in sublime fashion from a set-piece.  Däbritz's free-kick was half-cleared by the English defence, and Weir made no mistake, unleashing a perfect volley to make it 0-1 on 43’.

Soon after the break, Arsenal were level. Russo headed a cross from the right towards goal, and the ball looped over Misa and into the back of the net. Minutes later, the English forward completed the turnaround for the hosts when she headed in once again, this time after finding space from a corner. Our team pushed forward in search of a leveller, but the opposition defence stood firm. The result is the madridistas’ first defeat in the competition this season.

LINE-UPS
2-Arsenal: Van Domselaar, Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe (Hinds, 88’), Cooney-Cross (Laia Codina, 93’), Mariona, Maanum, Kelly (Mead, 63’), Smith (Foord, 63’) and Russo (Blackstenius, 88’).
1-Real Madrid: Misa, Eva Navarro (Shei, 59’), Lakrar, M. Méndez, Yasmim (Iris, 83’), Angeldahl, Däbritz (Irune, 68’), Weir, Linda C., Athenea (Keukelaar, 68’) and Feller (Redondo, 68’).

Goals:
0-1 (min. 43): Weir.
1-1 (min. 53): Russo.
2-1 (min. 67): Russo.