Arsenal bad outside – fell heavily against Real Madrid
Arsenal, with Stina Blackstenius in the starting eleven, entered the meeting as a favorite and also owned much of the game. It helped little.
Just Blackstenius was close to cracking zero in the 19th minute but the shot-which was on its way into the far corner-was saved by real goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez. And three minutes later it was 1-0 to the home team, where the blue -yellow national team midfielder Filippa Angeldahl played from the start.
In a quick changeover Sent Danish Signe Bruun a long ball in the depth that looked to stay on an opponent defender. But instead of breaking, Arsenal's Leah Williamson kicked holes in the air and suddenly Linda Caicedo was free. The Colombian striker coldly rolled in 1-0 to Real.
Arsenal had a hard time shaking out some really sharp goal chances on the substandard lawn. A long shot from Beth Mead at the end of the first half was one of the few exceptions.
Instead of a receipt, Arsenal leaves Spain with a two -goal sub before the return in London next Wednesday. With ten minutes left to play, a new counter ended with Athenea del Castillo submitting 2-0 behind the visitors' goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.
Arsenal's three other Swedes – Rosa Kafaji, Amanda Ilestedt and Lina Hurtig – started on the bench. Hurtig was replaced with just over five minutes left to play, but the nick -strong striker failed to get holes in Real either.
For Real Madrid, an advancement would mean a milestone. The club's women's team, which was formed as CD Tacón 2014 and was taken over by Real 2019, has never reached the semi -final in the Champions League before.
