Arsenal ease into quarters after arsenal vs oud-heverlee leuven ends 3-1 as Russo scores twice
Arsenal completed a 7-1 aggregate win over Oud-Heverlee Leuven after a 3-1 victory at Meadow Park, with Alessia Russo netting twice and Mariona Caldentey converting a penalty. The result secures a quarter-final clash with domestic rivals Chelsea and keeps the Gunners on course in the defence of their European crown.
Match snapshot: key moments and scorers
The second leg kicked off at 8: 00 PM ET and unfolded largely as expected after Arsenal's commanding 4-0 win in Belgium last week. Russo opened the scoring midway through the first half, twisting away from a marker before slotting home to give the hosts the lead on the night. OH Leuven levelled through Sara Pusztai shortly afterwards after a lengthy video assistant referee check had initially flagged an offside in the build-up; the goal stood once the review concluded and Pusztai coolly finished from close range.
Arsenal regained control when Mariona Caldentey stepped up to convert a penalty, restoring the aggregate cushion. Russo wrapped up the evening with a composed second finish, using another clever turn to beat the defence and extend the tie to 7-1 overall. The goalkeeper and defensive unit were rarely seriously threatened beyond Leuven's brief spell of pressure, and the Gunners were able to manage the game in the second half to see the job through.
Tactical takeaways and squad notes
The manager made three changes to the starting XI from the first-leg line-up, bringing in fresh legs and rotation after a congested schedule. Those alterations paid off as Arsenal maintained high pressing intensity and compactness across the midfield, allowing creative players to find pockets and feed Russo in advanced areas. The victory demonstrated squad depth; substitutes were used to close out the game and protect the lead without compromising momentum.
For OH Leuven, moments of threat were evident—particularly in the first half when they unsettled the hosts and took full advantage of a VAR-reviewed chance. Their work rate and organization have been a feature of a proud run to this stage, but individual mistakes and Arsenal's quality in transition ultimately proved decisive. The Leuven coach praised his players for their efforts and highlighted the gulf in finishing and game management that separated the sides.
What it means next
With the tie settled, Arsenal will face Chelsea in the quarter-finals for a place in the semi-finals. The prospect of two domestic heavyweights meeting in Europe raises the stakes and promises a high-intensity, tactical battle when the draw is played out. Arsenal players expressed excitement at the fixture, pointing to the familiarity between squads and the challenge of stepping up again as the competition narrows.
Looking ahead, the Women's Champions League final is scheduled to take place in Oslo on May 23. Arsenal will now balance domestic commitments and European ambitions as they aim to defend their title. Confidence is high inside the camp after a positive run of results and robust training sessions, with key players available and eager to contribute in the months ahead.
In summary, the second-leg win was professional and efficient: a strong start, a tested response when Leuven struck back, and clinical finishing to settle the tie. Arsenal advance with momentum and a tough quarter-final to anticipate.
