A strong first-leg performance from Real Madrid saw them take a 2-0 cushion to Arsenal in the Women's Champions League quarter-final next week.

Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo scored in either half to stun the Gunners, who have work to do to overturn the deficit in the reverse fixture.

Arsenal started brightly and saw the first clear opening of the match as Alessia Russo turned to slide in Stina Blackstenius. She got in front of her marker to fire a shot across goal, but Misa was equal to it.

Just three minutes later, the hosts got ahead. Leah Williamson was indecisive in her attempts to stop a counter-attack, with Caicedo nicking the ball off her before getting the better of a wrong-footed Manuela Zinsberger when one-on-one.

Beth Mead came within inches of restoring parity before the break. She put her laces through Mariona Caldentey's cushioned pass on the edge of the box, but her effort fizzed just wide.

Madrid stood strong against Arsenal's early chances in the second half and almost doubled their lead from another quick counter-attack as Caroline Weir's powerful strike was pushed away by Zinsberger.

The hosts were patient though, and after soaking up more pressure, Del Castillo doubled their cushion. Arsenal defenders sat back, allowing her to progress into the box before curling a low shot into the bottom-right corner, despite Zinsberger making contact.

Arsenal kept pushing, with Lia Walti, Williamson and Kim Little all attempting to pull a goal back, but there was no way through for the visitors. 

Advantage Real Madrid  #UWCL pic.twitter.com/qrOZKYoftN

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) March 18, 2025

Data Debrief: Advantage Madrid

These sides had never met in the Champions League before, but Las Blancas were winless in six previous meetings with English sides (D2 L4 – all against Chelsea).

It was the perfect time for them to end that run, with the only blemish on a resolute performance the loss of Melanie Leupolz to what looked like a serious knee injury in the second half.

Arsenal had been on a five-game winning streak in the competition beforehand, their joint-longest ever run in the Champions League. However, they have now failed to win their last four away games in the knockout stages (D1 L3).

It was not for lack of trying though - they had 14 shots throughout, worth 1.23 expected goals (xG). Only one of those were on target though. Madrid, by contrast, had five attempts, scoring with two of their three on target.