Russo penalty secures Arsenal comeback at Tottenham in WSL

Alessia Russo’s second-half penalty earned Arsenal a comeback win over Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Women’s Super League on 24 October 2026. The result provided relief for manager Renée Slegers and delivered Arsenal their second WSL victory of the season.

At a rain-lashed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Arsenal again struggled early but settled into possession after a shaky opening. The Gunners had entered the match under pressure following five games without a win and displayed the season-long pattern of failing to convert periods of control into clear-cut chances. Their play was blemished by overhit passes and a lack of aggression, which contributed to Tottenham taking the lead.

Tottenham’s opening goal arrived from a corner when Victoria Pelova swung the ball in and Cathinka Tandberg rose above her two markers to head home, with Georgia Stanway and Emily Fox failing to rise and challenge. Spurs’ lead lasted only a short time.

Four minutes later Stanway corrected her earlier lapse by meeting Alessia Russo’s cut-back and powering the ball in off the crossbar to level the scores. Arsenal continued to keep possession and probe but did not create another clear opening before half-time.

Early in the second half Alice Sombath appeared to twist her leg awkwardly while stretching for the ball and was carried off on a stretcher, replaced by Ella Morris, who made her return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury towards the end of last season. Play was halted for a lengthy stoppage following the injury.

Shortly after play resumed Russo forced a large save from Lize Kop when she tried to turn in Caitlin Foord’s cross from close range, visibly frustrated by the missed chance. The next set piece, a corner from Kyra Cooney-Cross, was headed on by Leah Williamson; Lisa Baum’s effort hit the post and Spurs’ clearance struck Morris’s raised arm, prompting the referee to award a penalty.

Russo sent Kop the wrong way and drilled the penalty low into the corner before celebrating with the large contingent of Arsenal supporters. Now Slegers and her squad need a run of form and some luck in their upcoming matches against Benfica, Aston Villa and Liverpool before facing the tougher sequence of Barcelona, London City Lionesses and OL Lyonnes.