Russo, Pinto & Peddemors Shine in UWCL Thriller Night

The UEFA Women’s Champions League served up a night full of drama, late twists and standout individual performances, with three high-intensity fixtures lighting up the midweek action.

Arsenal 2–1 Real Madrid

Arsenal came from behind to claim a hard-earned 2–1 victory over Real Madrid at Meadow Park, thanks to a brilliant double from Alessia Russo.

Real Madrid struck first in the 43rd minute when Caroline Weir finished clinically from close range after a well-worked set piece. The visitors carried their 1–0 advantage into the break, but Arsenal returned for the second half with renewed urgency.

Russo levelled the match in the 53rd minute, rising to meet Chloe Kelly’s pinpoint cross and guiding a powerful header into the top corner. Fourteen minutes later, she struck again—this time steering Beth Mead’s delivery into the bottom right corner to complete the comeback.

Despite late pressure from Madrid, Arsenal held firm through six minutes of stoppage time to seal the win.

Juventus 3–3 Lyon

In Turin, Juventus and Lyon shared the spoils in a thrilling 3–3 encounter that delivered goals from the first whistle to the last.

Juventus dominated the opening half, scoring three times through Chiara Beccari, Michela Cambiaghi and Tatiana Pinto, all courtesy of quick transitions and crisp finishing. The hosts carried a commanding 3–0 lead into half-time.

But Lyon true to their pedigree mounted a spirited comeback. Tabitha Chawinga pulled one back in the 60th minute, before Marie-Antoinette Katoto headed in a second from Selma Bacha’s cross. The comeback was completed deep into added time when Wendie Renard calmly slotted home a penalty in the 96th minute, earning Lyon a dramatic draw.

Wolfsburg 5–2 Manchester United

Wolfsburg produced a relentless performance to overpower Manchester United 5–2 in Germany.

United opened the scoring early through Fridolina Rolfö, but Wolfsburg hit back quickly. Ella Peddemors delivered a first-half masterclass, scoring twice including a stunning long-range strike to turn the game around. Lineth Beerensteyn added another just before halftime, sending the hosts into the break 3–2 up after Melvine Malard had pulled United back into contention on the stroke of halftime.

The second half belonged entirely to Wolfsburg. Beerensteyn grabbed her second of the night in the 65th minute, before Vivien Endemann capped off the performance with a composed finish in stoppage time.