Real Madrid Femenino secured a crucial 2-0 victory against Arsenal Women in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final on March 18, 2025, at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano in Madrid. The match, attended by 3,102 fans, was impacted significantly by torrential rain and a sodden pitch, which made for challenging playing conditions.
The scoring for the match began in the 22nd minute when Colombian forward Linda Caicedo took advantage of a defensive error by Leah Williamson. The England captain miscontrolled a skidding ball, allowing Caicedo to pounce and slot the ball into the net for Real Madrid’s first goal. Although Arsenal had a strong start with good chances earlier in the match, they were left frustrated as they conceded against the run of play.
Arsenal made tactical changes at halftime by introducing Caitlin Foord and Chloe Kelly, which seemed to revive their attack as they sought an equalizer. However, the Gunners struggled to break through Real Madrid’s resolute defense and could not penetrate the home side’s goal. Goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez made several key saves, demonstrating impressive form throughout the match.
The second goal came in the 82nd minute when Athenea del Castillo scored after taking advantage of another sluggish Arsenal performance. A lack of communication in the midfield allowed Real Madrid to break free, and Del Castillo fired a shot that found its way past Arsenal’s Manuela Zinsberger, who has faced criticism for not making the stop.
Despite Arsenal’s efforts to create clear-cut chances, their inability to capitalize on set pieces and open play left them with a challenging deficit heading into the second leg of the tie at the Emirates Stadium next week.
Post-match comments from former Arsenal striker Ian Wright expressed frustration regarding the state of the pitch, which he described as a “f------ disgrace.” This sentiment echoed throughout the football community, as many believed that the conditions played a significant part in the outcome of the match. Wright elaborated on his social media, stating, “Watching the Champions League quarter-final Real Madrid pitch, this is worse than Derby’s pitch the other day.”
Coaches from both teams had to adapt their strategies given the unexpected and poor playing circumstances. Arsenal's head coach Renée Slegers acknowledged the difficulty of implementing their game plan under such conditions, noting, “We knew the condition of the pitch… So we had a plan for it but then it’s always hard.” Despite the disappointment, she remained optimistic about their chances in the return leg, expressing confidence that her team can regroup and mount a comeback.
The match was also marred by an injury to Real Madrid midfielder Melanie Leupolz, who was forced off the field after appearing to injure her knee while navigating the treacherous surface. The extent of her injury remains to be seen, but it raised concerns heading into the second leg.
As for the game itself, while Real Madrid’s players celebrated a well-deserved victory, the reality of transitioning back to a fair playing surface for the return fixture at the Emirates pulled into focus the discourse surrounding the standard of facilities provided for women’s football.
Arsenal's trophy hopes now hang by a thread. After four defeats in 23 matches under Slegers, the Gunners must rely on their home advantage next week to reverse their fortunes against Real Madrid. The defeat meant that Arsenal's last realistic chance of adding silverware this season lies within the Champions League.
The second leg of the quarter-final will take place on March 25, 2025, at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal will strive for an impressive turnaround against the Spanish giants, necessitating at least two goals to secure progress in the tournament.
With the challenge ahead, Arsenal fans are hoping that a more favorable pitch and home support will help propel their team to victory and keep their Champions League dreams alive. The match will be another test of Slegers' tactical acumen and her ability to motivate her players to deliver when it matters most.
