Real Madrid Femenino effectively solidified their dominance over Espanyol Femenino, winning 4-0 at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano on January 31, 2025. This victory not only served as a much-needed morale booster for the Madrid team but also reinforced their place among the top competitors in Liga F.
Real Madrid approached this fixture under considerable pressure to bounce back after recent disappointments, including a humiliative 5-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa and 1-0 loss against Eibar. Coach Alberto Toril emphasized the importance of the match stating, "We have to impose our quality and speed," seeking redemption and confidence for the team.
The match kicked off at 20:00 CET with Real Madrid immediately asserting their control over the game. Dominated by their relentless pursuit of goals, the home side showcased 77% of possession throughout the match, creating multiple scoring opportunities.
The first half saw Real Madrid making quick work of Espanyol's defense. The opening goal came from Lakrar, whose effort from close range found the back of the net following a messy scramble during a corner. This set the tone early, prompting the home team to continue pushing forward.
Just minutes later, Athenea del Castillo extended the lead to 2-0 with a brilliant individual effort. Skirting past several defenders, she struck the ball crisply to place it beyond the reach of Mar Segarra, the Espanyol goalkeeper. The crowd erupted as Real Madrid seemed to find their rhythm.
Espanyol struggled to respond, attempting to mount counterattacks but often found themselves thwarted by Madrid’s solid defense. The visitors managed only four shots throughout the match, none reaching the target. The disparity was stark, with Real Madrid’s eleven total attempts, highlighting their attacking superiority.
After the break, the Madrid side remained relentless. Linda Caicedo found the net next, demonstrating her skill and composure. Collecting the ball from within the area, she executed a neat cut inside, netting their third goal of the night. "This is what we need to keep doing, stay focused and score when it counts," she remarked after the match.
Alba Redondo sealed the victory, scoring the final goal with a powerful header from inside the box after Eva Navarro's shot hit the crossbar, making it 4-0. Observers noted, "Real Madrid is having a placid match, with hardly any occasions received," illustrating the stark difference between the two teams on the field.
Goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez echoed the sentiments of her teammates. "We want to keep increasing the distance with those behind us. It's important to maintain our position and keep winning," she stated, referring to their solid second-place standing with 37 points, just behind the leaders, Barcelona.
Meanwhile, the struggle continued for Espanyol. Sitting at 11th place with only 18 points, the team has not secured any wins this year, failing to capitalize on their early-season performances. Forward Lice Chamorro expressed her frustration, "This is a big club with plenty of history, deserving of titles. We need to regroup and focus on our next match."
Despite the setbacks, the match showcased Real Madrid's strong attacking movement and effective ball control, proving they are still strong contenders for this season's Liga F title. Looking forward, Alberto Toril's side aims to continue this form as they move toward the upcoming quarter-finals of the Copa de la Reina.
With such compelling performances, the team and fans alike are hopeful for the rest of the season, as they look to translate this winning momentum against tougher opponents. For Espanyol, the focus must shift quickly if they are to avoid falling closer to the relegation zone as they navigate through what has been a challenging season.