Real Madrid vs Arsenal LIVE: Women’s Champions League result and reaction as hosts secure first-leg lead
Real Madrid 2-0 Arsenal: Goals from Linda Caicedo and Athenea mean the Spanish side take a two-goal advantage to the Emirates next week
Real Madrid secured a two-goal first-leg advantage as Arsenal struggled in on a sodden surface in their Women’s Champions League quarter-final.
A wretched night and poor playing conditions in the Spanish capital made it far from an evening for fluent football, but the hosts struck twice on the counter-attack to take a strong lead to the Emirates Stadium next week. Colombian Linda Caicedo capitalised on a poor error from Leah Williamson - the Lionesses captain miscontrolling a skidding ball - to put Real ahead in a first half of few chances.
Arsenal improved after the break with both Caitlin Foord and Chloe Kelly introduced at the interval, though could not beat impressive home goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez. That allowed Athenea to extend the lead late on, firing past Manuela Zinsberger, to leave the Spanish side in control of the tie as they prepare to travel to London next week. Much of the focus, though, will be on another substandard surface, which was branded a “disgrace” by former Arsenal striker Ian Wright.
Re-live all of the action from Madrid in our live blog below:
Real Madrid 2-0 Arsenal, 85 minutes
A two-goal deficit feels like a lot for Arsenal to give up, even with a home leg to come.
Frida Maanum replaces Mariona Caldentey.
A free kick to Arsenal, about a yard from the sideline and 10 yards from the byline. A good position for a cross.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-0 Arsenal (Athenea, 83 minutes)
Real Madrid double their lead! Athenea strikes off the bench and how big could that goal be in the tie?
Arsenal are short of defensive resources as the hosts come forward, forcing Leah Williamson and so to back off. Athenea happily eats up the space before unfurling a drive. Manuela Zinsberger gets a hand to it and will perhaps feel disappointed not to have kept it out, only succeeding in slowing its passage into the back of the net.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 81 minutes
A few verbals being traded by the two teams as the game just begins to heat up.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 80 minutes
Chloe Kelly’s blocked cross earns Arsenal their seventh corner; Real Madrid are yet to have their first.
Katie McCabe swings it in but Feller is there to head away.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 78 minutes
Impressive balance from Naomi Feller, seemingly scythed into by an Arsenal tackler but somehow keeping her feet. Perhaps she should have gone down - her cross isn’t the best and evades two teammates.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 76 minutes
A lovely touch from Caroline Weir, killing the ball dead and almost releasing Athenea on the left. The Scot has shown a few glimpses of her outstanding technical ability tonight on a far-from-ideal evening for fluent football.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 73 minutes
Alterations for the hosts appear to be being readied, too. And here they come: enter Athenea and Naomi Feller; exit Signe Bruun and goalscorer Linda Caicedo. Fresh energy in the forward line.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 70 minutes
A midfield switch from Arsenal, with Lia Walti on for Kyra Cooney-Crowss.
The visitors then force Real Madrid goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez into a sharp double stop.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 68 minutes
Chloe Kelly roars for a penalty...but a decision is not forthcoming! The Arsenal substitute had got the wrong side of the Real Madrid defence and gone down under contact, but the referee Frida Klarlund turns the appeal down.
And now a shout for a spot kick at the other end - though there’s nowhere near enough in that challenge from Katie McCabe to grant Signe Bruun a penalty. McCabe suggests Bruun dived, which is probably harsh on the Danish striker, too.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 66 minutes
Real Madrid would love a second goal here. They’ve done a really good job of keeping their defensive shape and preventing Arsenal from creating too many chances, though know that they may well face a stiffer challenge on what I am sure will be a better surface and a rather stronger home Arsenal crowd at the Emirates Stadium next week.
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