Real Madrid’s dream of reaching their first UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals came to an end after a decisive 3-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates. With this result, Arsenal advanced 3-2 on aggregate, sealing their place in the next stage. Here’s a breakdown of how the match unfolded.
Madrid’s starting lineup featured Misa in goal, with Méndez and Lakrar joining the central defense, supported by Olga and Shei as fullbacks. Toletti and Angeldahl formed the midfield pivot, while Caroline Weir played as the attacking midfielder behind Bruun, who led the frontline. Athenea and Linda Caicedo operated on the wings, providing width in attack. The only change from the first leg was Athenea replacing the injured Leupolz.
From the opening whistle, Arsenal took full control of the game. The Spanish side found themselves constantly defending, as nearly half of the total passes in the match were played in Madrid’s defensive third. Olga was particularly tested on the right flank, where she struggled to contain Chloe Kelly, who did not start in the first leg but made a significant impact in this match. Arsenal frequently delivered long balls to the far post, an area widely known as Madrid’s defensive vulnerability. Despite this, Méndez and Lakrar did well to clear many of these dangerous deliveries, while Lakrar, in particular, made crucial last-ditch tackles inside the penalty box.
Real Madrid’s only saving grace in the first half was their defensive resilience. They managed to hold off Arsenal’s relentless attacks with well-organized defending inside their penalty area. However, their offensive struggles were evident—they failed to register a single shot until the 41st minute, and after that, they did not produce another attempt until stoppage time in the second half.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s dominance proved too much for Madrid to overcome. The English side dictated possession, exploited Madrid’s defensive frailties, and capitalized on their attacking struggles. With this convincing victory, Arsenal secured their spot in the semifinals, while Real Madrid’s European journey came to an abrupt end.
