Russo's Late Magic Seals Arsenal Women's UCL Play-Off romp Over Plucky Leuven

Alright, lads, grab a pint because Arsenal Women just put on a proper show in the Women's Champions League Knockout Play-offs. They saw off Oud-Heverlee Leuven Ladies 3-1 at the Managata Pay UK Stadium on a chilly Wednesday night, wrapping up a whopping 7-1 aggregate win. If the first leg was a stroll in the park, this one had a bit more bite – think pub league scrap that ends with your mate slotting home from the edge of the box.

Picture this: 8pm kick-off under the floodlights, Arsenal knowing they've got one foot in the next round after tonking Leuven 4-0 at home first time out. But football being football, nothing's ever straightforward. Enter Alessia Russo, the blonde bomber who's been carrying the Gunners' attack like she's got shares in the goal net. She struck first in the 23rd minute, pouncing on a loose ball in the box after some tidy build-up play down the left. Keeper Sarah Vande Velde could only watch it ripple the onion bag – 1-0, and the away fans (all 200 of 'em) started shifting uncomfortably.

Leuven weren't having it, though. Credit where it's due, these Belgian underdogs fancied their chances. Susanna Pusztai levelled things up just six minutes later with a cheeky finish from a quick counter. You could hear the Arsenal bench groaning – 'not again!' – but Eidevall's lot steadied the ship. Half-time came with scores level, and you sensed the second half would be where the class told.

Enter the penalty drama at the 65th minute. Mariona Caldentey Oliver – fresh off her summer move and looking every bit the Barca import – won it herself, tumbling under a clumsy challenge in the box. She dusted herself off, grabbed the ball, and smashed it home. Cool as a pint on a summer's day. 2-1 Arsenal, and the tension ratcheted up like someone turned the heating off in the pub.

But Russo wasn't done. Oh no. In the 90th minute – deep into stoppage time, with everyone checking their watches – she ghosted in at the back post to volley home a cross that begged to be finished. Cue pandemonium. The away end erupted, Leuven heads dropped, and Arsenal marched into the next round with swagger. Final whistle: 3-1 on the night, 7-1 aggregate. Job done.

Let's talk standout performers. Russo with her brace? Woman of the match, no debate. She's got six goals in her last four starts now – if she keeps this up, she'll be carrying the Lionesses to Euros glory single-handed. Caldentey was a livewire, causing havoc down the flank, while the backline, led by Lotte Wubben-Moy, barely put a foot wrong after that early wobble. Leuven? Pusztai was their spark, and they battled gamely, but against this Arsenal machine, it was like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

Tactically, Eidevall stuck to his guns: possession football with quick transitions. Arsenal dominated the ball (around 65% possession, if we're guessing from the highlights), peppered the goal with 18 shots to Leuven's 7, and looked every bit the Group B winners they were. The Belgians pressed high early doors but tired, leaving gaps Russo exploited like a kid in a sweet shop.

What's next for the Gunners? A spot in the quarter-finals, probably facing some continental heavyweights. With the World Cup fresh in the memory and the WSL title race heating up, this feels like momentum building. Jonas Eidevall punched the air at full-time – he knows they've got the tools to go all the way in Europe.

If you're not watching the Arsenal Women yet, sort it out. They're box office: goals, grit, and a bit of glamour. Russo celebrating with that cheeky wink? Pure gold. Cheers to another step forward – now, who's buying the next round?