Linda Caicedo delivered an outstanding performance on a rainy night in Madrid, leading Real Madrid to a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Eight-time champions Lyon took a step toward the semifinals with a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in their quarterfinal first leg, courtesy of goals from Tabitha Chawinga and Melchie Dumornay. Bayern goalkeeper Maria-Luisa Grohs made several crucial saves, including stopping Lindsey Heaps’ penalty before halftime.
Caicedo, the 20-year-old Colombian star, opened the scoring at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium and constantly troubled Arsenal’s defense. Substitute Athenea sealed the win with a late goal, putting Madrid in a strong position to advance.
Caicedo capitalized on Arsenal defender Leah Williamson’s failed attempt to intercept Signe Bruun’s pass. She took a couple of strides forward, held off Arsenal’s Emily Fox, and fired the ball inside the left post in the 22nd minute.
Beth Mead had Arsenal’s best chance before halftime, but Madrid suffered a setback in the 63rd minute when Melanie Leupolz left the field with a suspected right knee injury. The 16-year-old Irune Dorado replaced the German midfielder.
Arsenal responded with sustained pressure but couldn’t break through, and Athenea doubled Madrid’s lead on a counterattack in the 82nd minute. Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger got a hand on the shot but couldn’t keep it out.
“We knew how to endure,” Madrid coach Alberto Toril said. “In the Champions League, there are important matches that you need to know how to play and that have many mini-matches within the games, and I think we did very well.”
Lyon and Arsenal will host their respective second-leg quarterfinal matches next Wednesday.
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Madrid, a dominant force in men’s football with a record 15 European titles, is aiming to reach the semifinals for the first time. The club was a late entrant into women’s football, only establishing its women’s team in 2020 after merging with another club.
The rise of major clubs in women’s football has negatively impacted teams like Sweden’s Umeå IK and Germany’s Turbine Potsdam.
The remaining quarterfinal first-leg matches take place on Wednesday, with Wolfsburg hosting defending champions Barcelona and Manchester City facing Chelsea in an all-English clash.