A strong legs of the first legs from Real Madrid saw them take a 2-0 kiss to Arsenal in the quarterfinals of the Women's Champions League next week.
Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo scored in both half to numb the Gunners who have work to destroy the shortage in the inverted fixture.
Arsenal started clearly and saw the first clear opening of the game when Alessia Russo turned around in Slide in Stina Blackstenius. She came for her marker to shoot a shot over the goal, but Misa was right.
Only three minutes later the hosts came ahead. Leah Williamson was indecisive in her attempts to stop a counterattack, with Caicedo who took the ball from her before he became a wrong foot-foot Manuela Zinsberger when one on one.
Beth Mead came within centimeters of recovery parity before the break. She put her laces through Mariona Caldentey's Gedempte Pass on the edge of the box, but her effort was just bustling wide.
Madrid was strong against the early chances of Arsenal in the second half and almost doubled their lead from another fast counterattack when the powerful strike by Caroline Weir was pushed away by Zinsberger.
However, the hosts were patient, and after more pressure to arouse, Del Castillo doubled their pillows. Arsenal defenders leaned back, so she could go into the box before she curls a low shot in the right corner, even though Zinsberger made contact.
Arsenal continued to push, with Lia Walti, Williamson and Kim little all to withdraw a goal, but there was no way for the visitors.
Advantage Real Madrid #uwcl pic.twitter.com/qrozkyoftnn
– UEFA Women's Champions League (@UWCL) March 18, 2025
Data debrief: Voordina Madrid
These parties had never met in the Champions League before, but Las Blancas was Winloos in six earlier meetings with English parties (D2 L4 – all against Chelsea).
It was the perfect time for those to end that run, with the only stain on a determined version the loss of Melanie Leupolz for what looked like a serious knee injury in the second half.
Arsenal had been in the competition in advance on a five-game winning streak, their joint-longest ever in the Champions League. However, they have not succeeded in getting their last four away in the knockout phases (D1 L3).
However, it was not because of a lack of trying – they had 14 shots everywhere, worth 1.23 expected goals (XG). However, only one of them was on goal. Madrid, on the other hand, had five attempts and scored with two of their three on goal.
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