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'Surreal' - Alessia Russo left in disbelief by her own heroics as Arsenal stun Real Madrid in incredible Champions League comeback

The Gunners, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/arsenal-women-player-ratings-real-madrid-leah-williamson-manuela-zinsberger-errors-gunners-awful-pitch-champions-league-defeat/blt8697c48a7ca0b6c9" target="_blank">trailing 2-0 from the first leg</a>, staged a dominant second-half display, scoring three goals in just <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/arsenal-women-player-ratings-real-madrid-alessia-russo-two-goal-salvo-champions-league-semi-finals-insane-comeback-chloe-kelly-delivers/blt2ed5b50bd126d1cd" target="_blank">13 minutes to claim a 3-2 aggregate victory</a> and book their place in the semi-finals. After this thrilling turnaround, Arsenal have set up a mouth-watering clash with Lyon, the eight-time Champions League winners, and managed by former Gunners manager Joe Montemurro.

WHAT HAPPENED?

After a frustrating first half, Arsenal came out firing in the second, showing clear intent to overturn their deficit. Only 44 seconds after the restart, Chloe Kelly whipped in a precise cross, which Russo converted from close range, igniting Arsenal’s charge towards victory. The home side maintained relentless pressure to break down Real and that yielded quick dividends as they pulled off a memorable victory on the European stage against a formidable opponent.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, an elated Russo said: "It was amazing. Still feels a bit surreal right now, I've not really let it sink in yet. We had a lot of belief all week, we knew what we wanted to do, we knew what we were capable of as a team and we have done that tonight."When asked whether this was her best performance in an Arsenal shirt, Russo replied: "For sure. Hopefully long may they continue but long may they continue."Despite a goalless first half, Russo revealed that the team remained calm and confident at half-time, believing they were in control."We knew we were doing well in the first half. We felt good," she said. "We felt like we had momentum and we said we wanted to be more patient in the final third because we knew we needed to score. Chloe put in some great crosses which set up the first two goals and then we were persistent and probably should have had more to be fair. The week has been busy but we have all been locked in. Tonight is when you enjoy the football. We enjoyed the crowd and we will enjoy tonight."As the game reached its climax, Russo twice thought she had completed a hat-trick, only for both goals to be ruled out for offside. "VAR ruined that one!" she joked. "But I should have scored a third anyway without the two offside. I will look back and go again but tonight we will enjoy the night."

WHAT RUSSO SAID

Arsenal manager, Renee Slegers, lavished praise on the forward and said: "Alessia was really good for us again tonight. She scored two goals but she does so many other things for the team as well that are so important. You saw our press, for example, today. She put so much work into it, like the others."It's always good for forwards and the players who get into those positions to finish attacks and get the ball into the net. It's important for them because that's something they need to bring to the team in games. Of course, it's good for Less. But you can see she's so consistent, stable, as a person, that she doesn't get swayed by if she scores or not, or what exactly her contribution to the result is. She just works really hard for the team, and she keeps on going."

DID YOU KNOW?

After their heroics in Europe, Arsenal will quickly turn their attention back to the Women’s Super League (WSL). The Gunners face Crystal Palace on Sunday, as they look to close the gap on leaders Chelsea, who currently sit eight points ahead in the title race.

WHAT NEXT FOR RUSSO & ARSENAL?

'Surreal' - Alessia Russo left in disbelief by her own heroics as Arsenal stun Real Madrid in incredible Champions League comeback | Goal.com

Alessia Russo was on cloud nine after her heroics inspired Arsenal against Real Madrid, as they scripted an incredible Champions League comeback.