Terrible pitch conditions, slow play and rain sums up the first leg of the Women’s Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and Arsenal. Real Madrid adjusted better to the muddy pitch, while Arsenal struggled to hold onto the ball and create any big chances. Read our match report on Real Madrid vs Arsenal here.
Match Highlights
Linda Caicedo opens the scoring.
Women’s Champions League debut for Irune Dorado.
Great goalkeeping by Misa.
Athenea doubled the lead.
Source: Real Madrid on X
Uneventful start to the match
Both sides were feeling each other out at the beginning of the game. The conditions of the pitch did not help as it slowed down the play. Arsenal was slightly better, trying to find Blackstenius behind the defensive line while Real Madrid did not get near Arsenal’s box.
The first big opportunity came for Blackstenius. Alessia Russo sent her through the defense; she charged toward goal, but Misa saved the shot. An Arsenal corner-kick followed but McCabe’s delivery found the roof of the net.
Real Madrid capitalize on first chance
Real Madrid open the scoring as Arsenal’s defense was left helpless. It was the home team’s first real chance after they capitalized on a chain of mistakes from the Gunners. Toletti intercepted, Weir tried to send Caicedo through. Williamson fumbled with the clearance, giving Caicedo the opportunity to steal the ball back, charge towards Zinsberger and find the back of the net.
The visitors struggled to get any shots on target in the remaining 25 minutes of the first half. Only Mead’s effort was worth noting as she fired from the edge of the box through a group of players, but it went just wide.
Source: Arsenal on X
Second Half: Arsenal can’t get hold of the game
Renée Slegers did not wait long and made two changes at half-time. Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius came off for Caitlin Foord and Chloe Kelly.
Real Madrid started the second half much stronger than they did the first. Caicedo outran the entire Arsenal defense on multiple occassions but couldn’t double their lead early on.
Brief break in play
Melanie Leupolz went down off the ball, cluthing her knee. It was unclear what happened, even after rewatching the footage. She limped off the pitch, visibly upset and was replaced by Irune Dorado, she is only 16 years old.
Chloe Kelly motivating her teammates
Lia Wälti came on for Cooney-Cross in the 68th minute. Arsenal increased the pressure, overloading the box as much as they could.
Alberto Toril brings on Athenea and Feller for Bruun and Caicedo.
The Gunners earn their 7th corner with ten more minutes on the clock. Real Madrid has had no trouble clearing them all evening.
Can Arsenal find the back of the net?
The substitutes certainly had an impact on the game. Foord created a lot of trouble down the left, Wälit brought more control in midfield and Chloe Kelly pushed for goal time after time.
With ten more minutes to go The Gunners came close to the equalizer, unexpectedly, Real Madrid doubled their lead. A swift counter attack: Weir traveled through the middle and found Athenea, who freed up space and took a shot. Zinsberger got a touch to it but couldn’t stop it from going in.
Frida Maanum replaced Mariona Caldentey and Hurtig came on for Russo.
Weir comes off for Antonia.
Five minutes added on
There wasn’t much time left, but Arsenal tried to at least pull one back. It became more difficult when Weir was subbed off and another defender, Antonia, was brought on. In the final minutes there seemed to be a penalty check as Toletti might have touched the ball with her hand but it was dismissed very quickly.
Real Madrid secure a 2-0 over Arsenal in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League quarter-final.