In a thrilling UEFA Women’s Champions League clash, player of the match Alessia Russo was exuberantly celebrating her pivotal role in Arsenal’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Real Madrid. The talented 26-year-old forward nearly made history herself by attempting to secure her first-ever hat-trick for the Gunners. However, fate played a cruel hand as two of her goals were disallowed due to offside calls verified by video assistant referee (VAR) technology. Despite this setback, Russo displayed an upbeat attitude, reflecting on her three-point performance with a mixture of disappointment and humor.
Russo was in good spirits as she acknowledged the missed opportunity for a hat-trick. “VAR ruined that one,” she quipped when reminded about her disallowed goals. Nevertheless, she took the setback in stride: “I mean I should have scored a third anyway without the two offsides, but I’ll look back and go again.” With a total of eight shots taken during the match, four of which were on target, Russo could have easily made it a memorable evening for herself. “But tonight, we’re going to enjoy the night,” she added with hopeful enthusiasm, underlining the team’s collective victory rather than her individual achievements.
The match saw other players contributing significantly to the scoresheet as well. Mariona Caldentey added to the tally, capitalizing on a fantastic cross from Chloe Kelly, who had also assisted Russo’s opening goal less than a minute into the second half. The teamwork displayed by Arsenal was commendable, and TNT Sports expert Karen Carney couldn’t help but empathize with Russo’s frustration regarding the VAR decisions. She noted, “We always want so many things in the women’s game: goal-line technology, VAR. That was probably the one night Alessia Russo’s thinking, ‘cheers for that, guys. I don’t want it. I wanted my hat-trick!’”
Despite not having completed her hat-trick, Russo’s performance was decorated with accolades from commentators and pundits alike. In the post-match analysis, Carney lauded the Gunners’ relentless approach in the second half, describing it as “ruthless, clinical, direct and intense.” This zestful attitude resulted in a deserved victory over Real Madrid, who are no strangers to competitive play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
On an exciting personal note, Russo’s six goals have now tied her for the position of top scorer in this year’s tournament alongside Bayern Munich’s Pernille Harder. TNT Sports commentator Jacqui Oatley remarked on how Russo’s output dramatically improved since the arrival of head coach Renee Slegers, who replaced Jonas Eidevall in October. After a challenging start with just one goal under the Swede’s mentorship, Russo has surged to an impressive total of 16 goals. TNT Sports expert Fara Williams attributed this resurgence to subtle yet strategic changes in her style of play.
Williams recognized that these adjustments have elevated Russo’s game significantly. “I think some of the small changes are the work that she does without the ball… under [Slegers’] guidance, she’s done more work centrally, between the posts, and that’s where you get most of your goals,” she explained. Williams elaborated that in the first half, Russo tended to drift too wide and away from the goal, which hindered her scoring potential.
Russo herself acknowledged the joy of playing, especially as she basked in the acclaim of a record crowd of 22,517 at the Emirates Stadium— a new record for a Women’s Champions League quarter-final held in England. She candidly admitted, “It’s when Katie keeps pushing me to the crowd, I don’t know what to do with myself.” Heavy with emotions yet lighthearted, Russo praised the intensity of the week leading up to the match, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the game and the support of fans.
In summation, Alessia Russo’s joyful reflection on her contributions to Arsenal’s triumph not only highlighted her individual talent but also the strength of collective teamwork within the squad. As they move forward in the tournament, the Gunners’ confidence will surely be bolstered by such a resounding victory—and Russo’s journey toward reclaiming her scoring touch continues to be a compelling narrative within women’s football. For those interested in following the UEFA Women’s Champions League action, matches can be watched live on TNT Sports and discovery+.