Real Madrid claimed victory over Atlético de Madrid with a decisive performance, showcasing their strength and skill during the highly anticipated derby. The match highlighted the significant differences between the two teams, particularly with the standout contribution from Colombian star Linda Caicedo, whose energy and pace troubled the Atlético defense throughout the game.
Despite starting the match with some promising moments, Atlético struggled to maintain pressure and lacked the coherence needed to compete effectively. After suffering three draws and three losses in their last eight matches, the team under coach Víctor Martín faces mounting concerns as their chances for Champions League qualification are jeopardized.
The game commenced with Real Madrid dominating possession and creating early scoring opportunities. Midfielder Weir almost found the net with a clever shot, and Caicedo's efforts were particularly noted as she consistently challenged the Atlético defense with her swift movements and dangerous strikes.
Real Madrid took the lead just before halftime when Caicedo, having made penetrating runs throughout the opening period, finally found the back of the net with a powerful shot from the edge of the area. This goal came at an unfortunate time for Atlético, who desperately needed to regroup.
After the break, Atlético attempted to rally but quickly fell behind again when Real Madrid extended their lead to 2-0 through an own goal by Gabi, who inadvertently redirected Caicedo's cross past goalkeeper Lola Gallardo. This left the Atlético players visibly shaken, struggling to generate quality opportunities.
Atlético managed to scrape themselves back to life with some improvements, leading to Silvia Lloris scoring from distance, reducing the deficit to 1-2. This effort injected some hope, yet Real Madrid remained dangerous on counterattacks, underscoring their superiority during the match.
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona continued their dominant form under coach Pere Romeu, starting the year 2025 with yet another resounding victory against Real Sociedad, thrashing them 6-0 at Zubieta. Setting the tone early, Ewa Pajor scored the opener within six minutes of play, taking advantage of Salma's assist.
Barcelona's lead expanded as Pajor added another goal just before halftime, marking her double and demonstrating her lethal finishing ability. The statistics after this match reflect Barcelona's status as the team to beat—an unbeaten run, having scored 63 goals and conceded only 7. This performance bolstered their position at the top of the Liga F standings with 42 points, illustrating the significant gulf in quality between them and their rivals.
The second half saw Pajor complete her hat trick before Salma and Aitana grabbed the final two goals, solidifying the team's dominance. The outcome marked another milestone for Barcelona, who continue to assert their claim as the undisputed leaders of the league.
The gap between the top-tier teams and those below them was starkly illustrated this week as Valencia managed to secure their first win of the season against Levante. The narrow victory brought much-needed relief for Valencia, who will look to capitalize on this momentum going forward.
Looking at the standings, Barcelona remains the frontrunner, closely followed by Real Madrid, who has two matches pending. This situation keeps the race for the Liga F title tantalizingly close heading toward the playoffs.
With the season progressing, teams face the urgent challenge of consistency, especially Atlético Madrid, who must regroup to salvage their campaign as the pressure mounts to perform before falling out of contention for European qualification.
The narrative of this week has clearly emphasized the supremacy of FC Barcelona and the urgent need for Atlético, and other teams, to raise their game to avoid being left behind. The Spanish Women's Football League continues to deliver high-stakes, entertaining matches as players look to stake their claims for glory.