Russo and Caldentey send Arsenal past OH Leuven into Champions League quarters

Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey scored as Arsenal beat OH Leuven 3-1 at Meadow Park, sealing a 7-1 aggregate win and a Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea. Rain and wind made the match difficult, but the European champions prevailed. The game opened with a clear chance for Leuven after Laia Codina misjudged a long ball and Jada Conijnenberg was through, only for Daphne van Domselaar to deny her.

Arsenal took the lead a few minutes later when Russo caught Lowiese Seynhaeve at her near post, extending the aggregate lead to 5-0, but Leuven levelled just after the half hour through Sara Pusztai. Chances were limited on a testing surface until just after the hour, when Caitlin Foord won a penalty that Caldentey converted calmly from 12 yards.

Arsenal pressed on, with Russo and Foord both testing Seynhaeve, and Russo sealed the scoring in the final minute with a composed turn and a low drive into the bottom corner.

alessia russo, mariona caldentey, caitlin foord, sara pusztai, arsenal, oh leuven, champions league, chelsea, meadow park, penalty