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 1-0 Arsenal, 47 minutes
It appears that Marinoa Caldentey has moved centrally for Arsenal, with Kelly on the right, Ford on the left and Alessia Russo now leading the line.
Second half...
A double switch at the interval for Arsenal: Caitlin Foord and Chloe Kelly are both on, with Stina Blackstenius and Beth Mead replaced.
Back underway.
HT: Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal
With the rain pouring and the pitch increasingly sodden, it’s been tough sledding at times in Madrid, but the hosts do have a half-time lead, earned by Linda Caicedo after Leah Williamson’s mistake. Arsenal have arguably had the better of a game of relatively few chances, though, with Stina Blackstenius and Beth Mead each going close.
Into the dressing rooms the 22 players disappear to dry off.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 45 minutes
A yard away! Nearly a leveller from Beth Mead on the stroke of half time, the Arsenal winger striking a bobbling ball from 20 yards and sending it fizzing past the post.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 44 minutes
It is still raining, by the way, which means this pitch is only going to get worse. Not the day for white shorts and socks, as the Real Madrid players are finding out.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 43 minutes
It’s a fine ball in from Beth Mead, too, causing havoc in the area. Steph Catley can’t quite get a foot to it, though, and her appeals for another corner go unrewarded.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 42 minutes
A bit better from the visitors, with the very quiet Mariona Caldentey making an incisive run beyond the Real Madrid backline. A corner kick.
Real Madrid 1-0 Arsenal, 38 minutes
Signe Bruun is not, perhaps, seeing as much of the ball as she would like, though the big centre forward is gamely sticking to her task leading the line. She skews a header rather more upward than goalward, and Manuela Zinsberger trots across to collect in comfort.
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