Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea: Blackstenius, Kelly & Russo Lead Gunners to Victory in UCL Quarterfinal First Leg

March 25, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport

Arsenal Women took a commanding lead in their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal tie against Chelsea with a 3-1 victory at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening. Goals from Stina Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly, and Alessia Russo secured the win for the defending champions, though a stunning strike from Lauren James offered a glimmer of hope for Chelsea ahead of next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea came close to opening the scoring within the first five minutes when Alyssa Thompson’s cross deflected off Laia Codina and struck the far post. James followed up with another attempt just two minutes later, also hitting the same post, frustrating the Blues’ early pressure.

Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Katie McCabe delivered a free kick that Blackstenius headed past Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton for her first Champions League goal of the season. The Gunners doubled their advantage ten minutes later. Beth Mead played a crossfield pass to Kelly, who controlled the ball before unleashing a powerful 20-yard shot that found the net.

Chelsea thought they had pulled a goal back five minutes before halftime when Veerle Buurman converted a free kick, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review determined a foul on Codina during the build-up. The decision drew visible frustration from Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor.

James finally reduced the deficit in the 66th minute with a spectacular curling effort from 25 yards that left Anneke Borbe with no chance. However, Arsenal quickly restored their two-goal cushion. In the 76th minute, Blackstenius played Russo through, and the forward flicked the ball up before volleying past Hampton.

Russo’s goal was her eighth in the Women’s Champions League this season, surpassing her previous record for the most goals scored by an English player in a single campaign.

Further frustration for Chelsea came in stoppage time when Kadeisha Buchanan had the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Borbe.