The Copa de la Reina de Fútbol Femenino has officially ignited its Round of 16 as clubs vie for the prestigious title, with both Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid delivering commanding performances against Villarreal and Levante Badalona, respectively.
Real Madrid started their match with relentless offense against Villarreal CF on Friday, as key players like Eva Navarro, Alba Redondo, and Naomie Feller all tested Villarreal's defenses early on. Despite the initial pressure, Villarreal's defense held firm, enabling them to momentarily lift their lines. This stalemate was disrupted when Alba Redondo broke the deadlock with individual brilliance at the 30-minute mark, scoring after Tere Abelleira set her up beautifully (1-0).
The Madrid side, thirsting for more, continued to attack but was thwarted by Villarreal’s goalkeeper Montse Quesada until Tere Abelleira sealed the game with a stunning long-range shot at the 64th minute (0-2), confirming Madrid's position in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid also advanced, overcoming Levante Badalona with a narrow 1-0 victory. Fiamma Benítez provided the only goal of the match, converting from Tatiana Pinto's cross shortly after the half-time break. The defensive resilience of Levante kept them competitive, spearheaded by ex-Atlético player Estefanía Banini trying to spark opportunities but failing to equalize.
This Saturday, the tournament continues with four exciting matches as teams including FC Barcelona, Levante, Sevilla, and others prepare to showcase their skills. The schedule starts with Tenerife vs. Barcelona at 9:00 AM, followed by Sporting Club vs. Levante UD, Granada vs. Sevilla, and Dux Logroño vs. Madrid CFF.
Barcelona enters its first match of the tournament as the reigning champion and overwhelming favorites against Costa Adeje Tenerife. With top form and confidence after securing their lead position in Liga F and concluding their UEFA Champions League group stage successfully, Barcelona aims to secure their place in the quarter-finals. Coach Jonatan Giráldez is expected to manage player fatigue carefully, having recently triumphed against Manchester City (3-0), following their last domestic meeting where they convincingly won 5-1 over Tenerife.
Scheduled for December 21 at 1 PM, the match will test Costa Adeje Tenerife, who have shown resilience through their cup run and will look to exploit their home advantage. Fans can catch the action live across several broadcasting platforms, eager to see if the underdogs can muster the strength to challenge the formidable contenders from Barcelona.
All teams face the unique challenge of knockout-format competition—where a single match determines who continues their pursuit of the trophy. Every team must bring their best, as the stakes have never been higher. With the heart of the tournament underway, the excitement is palpable, and football enthusiasts are treated to thrilling displays of skills, tactics, and sportsmanship.
The Copa de la Reina promises to provide stunning encounters as established powerhouses and underdogs alike aim to carve their names on the trophy and thrill fans with memorable moments. Will the reigning champions defend their title successfully? Only time will tell as the tournament progresses.
