The Dragon Has Woken

November 12, 2025

Mangata Pay UK, London

Arsenal Women entered this fixture burdened by their own shortfalls. It is one thing to climb; another to remain at the summit. Their performances this season have fallen below the standards they once commanded. And in a Champions League redesigned as an 18-team league—where only four qualify directly, fifth to twelfth survive a perilous play-off, and the rest vanish—every misstep is amplified. Arsenal sat 11th with three points from nine.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, arrived sharpened by humiliation after a 4-0 defeat to Barcelona. They stood fifth in Europe with seven points, shaped by emphatic wins over Roma and PSG before Caroline Weir’s 98th-minute equaliser salvaged a draw against Paris FC. Their record on English soil was bleak—four visits, four losses, never fewer than two goals conceded—yet Arsenal, winless in three, needed a response to escape the table’s shadows.

Arsenal set the tone early. Maanum and Russo pressed high, forcing the first chances. On the left, Olivia Smith stretched Madrid’s back line, even as Navarro repeatedly forced her backwards. Maanum’s fifth-minute header skimmed wide; Caicedo’s counter met an unyielding Arsenal captain.

By the fifteenth minute, the dominance was clear. Lotte Wubben-Moy executed a sliding tackle of such timing it deserved preservation, stripping Caicedo and draining Madrid of early momentum. Atenea, so often their spark, found no passage through Arsenal’s defensive lattice; isolated, she grew visibly frustrated.

Chloe Kelly justified her return to the XI, her energy and angles unsettling Madrid. At 25 minutes, Maanum and Russo combined beautifully before the flag cut short the move. Smith was felled in the box five minutes later—no VAR, no penalty—drawing frustration from the Emirates.

But football is merciless to single errors. In the 43rd minute, a loose pass forced Caldentey into a foul. Däbritz’s free-kick dropped kindly, and Weir—once a Gunner—volleyed Madrid ahead, celebrating with provocation.

The second half began nervously: three poor defensive passes, three Madrid shots. Then Smith restored rhythm, carving down the left. At 52 minutes, Kelly crossed, Russo rose, and VAR confirmed the equaliser.

Foord and Mead arrived; Cooney-Cross took command. At 66 minutes, Mead’s corner found Russo again. Another header. Another dagger. Arsenal had willed themselves back. Madrid pressed late, but Russo held the line—relentless, decisive, player of the match. 

Arsenal 2 – 1 Real Madrid

(C.Weir 43’, Russo 53’, 67’)