Real Madrid secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Tuesday, with goals from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo, one in each half.
The English outfit started strongly but were caught off guard by a counter-attack when Madrid finally created their first opportunity in the 22nd minute.
Sandie Toletti of Real intercepted an Arsenal pass deep in her own territory and released former Manchester United forward Signe Bruun.
Bourne’s pass found Caicedo, who fended off the challenge from U.S. defender Emily Fox before charging into the penalty area and slotting the ball neatly into the bottom left corner of the net.
Just before half-time, Beth Mead came close to equalising but misfired, sending her shot narrowly past Misa Rodriguez’s right-hand post.
Arsenal, making their joint-record 16th appearance in the quarter-finals and hoping to reach their eighth semi-final, pushed for an equaliser in the second half. They came to within inches on multiple occasions, forcing Misa into several significant saves, but were caught out on the counter again with just eight minutes remaining.
This time around, Caroline Weir, up against her former club, played a pass to substitute Athenea down the left flank.
As she approached the edge of the Arsenal box, Athenea cut inside and unleashed a powerful strike towards the left post, which Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger could only deflect into the corner of the net.
Stay updated on Real Madrid’s emphatic win over Arsenal here.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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