arsenal vs oud-heverlee leuven — Russo double sends Arsenal into UWCL quarter-finals
Arsenal wrapped up progression to the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over OH Leuven at Meadow Park, sealing a 7-1 aggregate win. Alessia Russo scored twice and Mariona Caldentey added a penalty as the holders booked a high-profile last-eight meeting with domestic rivals Chelsea. The second leg kicked off at 3: 00 p. m. ET.
Match recap: Russo brace and a disallowed start to Leuven's equaliser
The evening began with Arsenal controlling the tie after a commanding 4-0 first-leg win in Belgium. Russo opened the scoring midway through the first half, spinning away from her marker and calmly dragging the ball over the line to give the hosts an early edge on the night. OH Leuven responded and celebrated when Sara Pusztai slotted home a pull-back inside the six-yard area, but there was a lengthy video assistant referee review that initially flagged an offside in the build-up before the goal ultimately stood for the visitors.
Arsenal restored control before halftime when Caldentey converted from the penalty spot, and Russo added a second for the Gunners with another composed finish that completed her brace and wrapped up the tie. The result meant Arsenal advanced 7-1 on aggregate. Caldentey was named player of the match for her influential display.
Team news, tactical notes and reaction
Manager Renée Slegers made three changes to the starting side from the first leg, bringing Smilla Holmberg, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Alessia Russo into the XI. Those changes helped freshen Arsenal’s approach while preserving the structure that delivered a dominant display in Belgium. Olivia Smith missed out through suspension, with Emily Fox and Leah Williamson also absent from the starting lineup.
Slegers stressed the need for humility despite the two-goal cushion from the first leg, underlining how maintaining standards in training and match preparation has driven the side’s form this season. She welcomed back goalkeeper Anneke Borbe from a prior injury scare and confirmed Taylor Hinds was available to contribute minutes after recovering from an ankle problem. Midfield availability was a late concern with one player facing a fitness test, but the squad managed to field a strong selection for the tie.
Russo, now a central attacking option for the Gunners, reflected on what has changed this season: a high training standard, a confident dressing room and a willingness to take risks in possession. On her role, she said she will play wherever the team needs her and enjoys both the nine and ten positions for different reasons — the common aim being to score goals and create chances for the team.
What comes next: a domestic blockbuster in the quarter-finals
With progression secured, Arsenal will face Chelsea in the quarter-finals — a domestic heavyweight clash that raises the stakes as the competition approaches its business end. The tie promises to be fiercely contested, with both sides familiar with one another from league meetings and cup encounters this season.
The Women's Champions League final is scheduled to take place in Oslo, Norway, on May 23 (ET). Arsenal’s route to retaining the trophy will require continued focus and consistency, something Slegers and her squad have repeatedly highlighted as the foundation for long-term success. For now, the Gunners can build on a comprehensive two-legged victory over Leuven and turn their attention to the domestic rival that stands between them and a place in the semi-finals.
