UWCL: Caicedo and Athenea give Real Madrid leg up over Arsenal in quarter-final clash | OneFootball

Linda Caicedo gave Real Madrid the advantage over Arsenal before 30 minutes had passed in their Champions League clash at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium. A late goal from Athenea doubled the hosts’ lead as the Gunners struggled to turn it around.

Real Madrid can now feel a bit more comfortable approaching the second leg of this UWCL quarter-final.

Starting XIs

Real Madrid

Misa; Sheila García, Lakrar, Mendez, Olga; Toletti, Angeldahl, Leupolz; Linda Caicedo, Weir; Bruun

Arsenal

Zinsberger; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Cooney-Cross, Russo; Mead, Mariona; Blackstenius

Clinical Caicedo gives Real Madrid the lead

The ball was moving slowly as this Champions League quarter-final kicked off in a very rainy Madrid. Although it is currently a men’s international break, the Bernebéu sat empty. This UWCL tie took place at the women’s home of Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano.

Early in the game and despite the soggy pitch surface, a Caicedo fast break put pressure on Renée Slegers’ side. Stina Blackstenius provided the first real opportunity of the game. The forward forced Misa into a save in the 19th minute after being played through Alberto Toril’s defence.

Previously well-contained by Emily Fox, Caicedo opened the scoring in the 21st minute to put the hosts in front. The prolific Colombian attacker coolly put away her effort with a convincing right-footed finish from the edge of the box after Signe Bruun’s innovative ball forward bobbled through the legs of Leah Williamson.

While conditions worsened and an uninspiring first-half drew to a close, Beth Mead looked set to score Arsenal the equaliser. The winger had a shot land narrowly wide of the woodwork after she was fed by Mariona Caldentey, who looked hungry to draw things level against her old rivals. Mead struck her right-footed attempt with conviction from the edge of the box, but could not quite hit the target.

Embed from Getty Images

Real Madrid snare Arsenal in latest UWCL win

After watching her side struggle to move the ball before the break, Slegers was quick to shake things up. The head coach swapped Blackstenius and Mead for Chloe Kelly and Caitlin Foord in an effort to bolster the Gunners’ chance at an equaliser.

In the 51st minute, an instinctive ball over the top from an involved Maëlle Lakrar saw Caicedo make another great run towards Manuela Zinsberger’s goal. Some strong defensive work from isolated Fox and captain Kim Little nullified the chance.

Mere moments later, Bruun sent a cross into the box for the lively Caicedo to tap in. Fox and Little were there again to clean up the mess, as the visitors looked shaky at the back. Melanie Leupolz had her night cut short by a nasty looking injury not too long after, as the home side continued to push.

Arsenal improved as the second half progressed, having found possession hard to come by early on. Hopes were high when Alessia Russo put a pearling ball into the box for Kelly, following some strong buildup play by Leah Williamson and Caitlin Foord, but Kelly was brought down in the box and her calls for a penalty were unheard. Real Madrid were quick to counter, but the Gunners remained one goal to the deficit.

Read more: UEFA Women’s Europa Cup: Format, schedule, draw and ‘fundamental milestone’

Further attacking efforts from the home side caused Arsenal’s backline to look less than comfortable, and eventually they extended their lead through Athenea Del Castillo. Quick, clever play through the defensive half saw Caroline Weir in possession in the midfield in the 82nd minute. The Scottish international did not hesitate to find substitute Athenea, who was weakly marked by Fox and effectively unchallenged by Williamson. Working from the left channel, the Spanish attacker’s shot from distance could not be saved by Zinsberger, and a disappointing outing for Arsenal drew to a close.

Real Madrid rejoiced in the hard-fought victory, and now turn their attention to next week’s preparation.

Embed from Getty Images

The second leg awaits

Frustrated Arsenal will host Real Madrid on Wednesday, March 26 at the Emirates Stadium for the second leg of this quarter-final showdown. The North London club have work to do as the Liga F side will travel to WSL territory with a significant two-goal advantage.

Related articles from Her Football Hub: