Real Madrid stunned their Clasico rivals Barcelona with a remarkable 3-1 victory at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on March 23, 2025, marking a historic turning point in women’s football. Caroline Weir emerged as the hero of the match, scoring two pivotal goals in the dying minutes, leading her team to their first win over Barcelona after 18 consecutive losses.
In front of 35,812 passionate fans, the game was filled with intensity and drama from the start, as both teams aimed to assert their dominance in Liga F. Madrid's Alba Redondo put her team ahead late in the first half, scoring in the 41st minute, only for Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen to strike back with an equalizer in the 67th minute.
After a tentative start to the match, Real Madrid showed significant promise. Misa, the Madrid goalkeeper, displayed remarkable skill, parrying multiple shots from Barcelona’s attacking players. As the first half closed, Redondo capitalized on a critical moment when Graham Hansen found herself momentarily injured, allowing Madrid to extend their possession and push forward. Redondo rose above the defenders to net her team's first goal, giving Real Madrid a vital 1-0 lead.
Despite falling behind, Barcelona rallied during the second half, driven to equalize by their home advantage and superior league position. Graham Hansen fulfilled her role as a pivotal player, and her relentless pressure bore fruit as she directed a perfect header from Mapi León's cross into the back of Madrid's net, leveling the score at 1-1.
The match turned dramatic as both teams exchanged opportunities amidst intense pressure, with Barcelona believing they had a second goal coming through Jana Fernandez. However, in a moment of controversy, Fernandez's effort was ruled offside, leaving the home side frustrated. With no VAR support onsite, the decision stood, intensifying the stakes as Madrid seized their moment.
With the clock winding down, it was Weir who changed the tide in favor of the visitors. In the 87th minute, Weir received a pass from her teammate and, with a sharp cut inside from the left, buried the ball past Cata Coll, Barcelona's goalkeeper. This stunning strike reestablished Madrid's lead at 2-1, igniting jubilation among the travelling supporters.
To cement their win, Weir struck again deep into stoppage time, heading home a cross that would seal a definitive 3-1 victory. Her two late goals not only marked a monumental personal achievement but also showcased Madrid's determination and resilience following a disheartening 5-0 defeat to the same opponents in the Spanish Women's Super Cup just two months prior.
Barcelona's defeat, while disappointing, still keeps them at the top of the Liga F standings by a four-point margin over Real Madrid, who are now revitalized after this cherished win. Though they suffered their first home loss since the establishment of Liga F in 2022, their position remains strong with several games left in the season.
As the teams shift focus to midweek Champions League action, Barcelona faces Wolfsburg with a 4-1 advantage, while Madrid heads to Arsenal after leading their tie 2-0 from the first leg. Both teams are keen to capitalize on their respective forms in Europe, but for Real Madrid, this victory serves as a solid foundation for the challenges ahead, instilling a confidence that had been hard to find in previous encounters against their fierce rivals.
With the winds of change blowing through the women's game, we can expect further excitement as Madrid emerges as a serious contender in Liga F—one that just ended history while writing new chapters of triumph over their storied rivals.
