On March 6, 2025, the women's teams of Real Madrid and Barcelona clashed at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stfano for the first leg of the Copa de la Reina semi-finals, and it was the Barcelona side who emerged triumphant with a commanding 5-0 victory. This match highlights the historical dominance of Barcelona over Real Madrid, particularly evident as Barcelona continues to build on its strong legacy, having won ten Copa de la Reina titles to date.
The match kicked off with high expectations, particularly for Real Madrid, who were eager to break the streak of losses against their biggest rivals. Historically, the Madridistas have never won against the Catalan team, their record standing at 0 wins, 16 losses—including two crushing defeats this season, 4-0 and 5-0. Despite their persistent efforts, the Real Madrid women's team faced substantial challenges during this fixture, mirroring the unfortunate history of their club against Barcelona.
Barcelona started the match strong, scoring their first goal within the first few minutes through Salma Paralluelo. The intensity continued as Ewa Pajor, who was relentless throughout the match, capitalized on defensive errors from Madrid to net the second goal. Pajor’s remarkable performance saw her score three goals, marking her as the game’s standout player, with Salma Paralluelo contributing significantly by scoring two goals.
Real Madrid, under the guidance of coach Alberto Toril, had come to the semifinals after eliminating Villarreal and Real Sociedad, showcasing their growth as competitors. Yet, with key players like Linda Caicedo missing due to muscle overload—reported by journalist Marta Grinan—and injuries to others like Teresa Abelleira and Melanie Leupolz, the side struggled to field their best team.
During the first half, Barcelona dominated possession and maintained their attack aggressively. The Madrid defenders, particularly young players like Yasmim, struggled to cope with the pace and skill of the Barcelona forwards. Despite efforts from players like Athenea del Castillo and Eva Navarro to push forward, Madrid found it difficult to penetrate the Barcelona defense and managed limited attempts on goal.
The turning point came quickly, with Barcelona leading 4-0 at the halftime mark. The Madrid players sought to regroup and strategize during the interval, but the second half mirrored the first as Barcelona maintained their relentless attacking style. Misa Rodríguez, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, had her work cut out throughout both halves, making several significant saves but unable to prevent the flurry of goals from the opposition.
Despite being significantly outmatched, Real Madrid's efforts to find the net yielded limited results, with the home crowd—2185 strong on this rainy evening—remaining hopeful yet frustrated as the scoreline intensified against them. By the final whistle, it was clear the power dynamics had yet to shift, with Barcelona sealing the match at 5-0, underscoring their superiority.
“Small details make the difference,” said Coach Toril post-match, evoking the frustrations of his team against their historical rivals. He remains under pressure to transform Real Madrid’s fortunes against Barcelona as they prepare for the second leg of this semifinal on March 12, 2025, at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
The fixture also raised discussions around the need for improved facilities and weather management at Madrid’s grounds, with heavy rain impacting play quality. Observers noted issues with drainage at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stfano, which became apparent as the match progressed, complicate strategies for both teams.
All eyes will be on the return leg, where Madrid must mount a formidable comeback to remain competitive in the Copa de la Reina, but currently, the momentum lies squarely with Barcelona, whose stellar performances have made them favorites for yet another taste of success.
With upcoming fixtures not only highlighting stakes between these two giants, the league standings are very much alive, with both teams vying for glory both domestically and on the European front. While Barcelona rests as the current champions, Real Madrid's ambitions of breaking the mold and capitalizing on their club's growth remain firmly intact—if not quite realized.