Real Madrid Secures First Champions League Victory Against Paris FC
The Spanish side dominated the second half to earn a 3-0 win at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium.
Real Madrid claimed their first victory of the Women's Champions League campaign on Tuesday, defeating Paris FC 3-0 at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium. The win, which brings the Spanish side to four points in the group stage, was secured through a strong second-half performance featuring goals from Arianna Caruso, Lineth Beerensteyn, and Linda Caicedo.
The match began with a scoreless first half, during which both teams struggled to break the deadlock despite several opportunities. Real Madrid, looking to improve their standing in the competition after three consecutive draws, maintained pressure on the visitors throughout the opening 45 minutes. The atmosphere at the stadium was somber as both teams observed a minute of silence before kickoff to honor the victims of the recent tragedy involving Urda and Jesús de Miguel.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the second half when Arianna Caruso capitalized on a rebound to put the hosts ahead. The momentum shifted decisively in favor of the home side as they continued to create chances. Shortly after, Lineth Beerensteyn extended the lead with a powerful strike into the top corner, following a well-executed play involving Felicia Schröder and Linda Caicedo. The scoring was capped off by Caicedo, who finished a precise pass from Schröder to seal the 3-0 result.
The victory was particularly significant for the team, as it marked their first win in the European tournament this season. Coach Pau Quesada made several tactical adjustments for the match, including giving 19-year-old goalkeeper Laia López her first start. López proved reliable, making a crucial save late in the game to preserve a clean sheet for the Madrid defense.
Prior to the match, Paris FC manager Sandrine Soubeyrand had acknowledged the difficulty of the task, noting that her team was facing a solid opponent with strong transition capabilities. Despite the absence of captain Clara Mateo due to suspension, Soubeyrand had expressed confidence in her squad's ability to compete. However, the French side was unable to overcome the offensive pressure applied by the Madrid attack throughout the second half.
The match also served as a milestone for Athenea del Castillo, who became the first player in Real Madrid history to reach 50 appearances in the Women's Champions League. With this result, the Spanish club moves into a more favorable position in the group standings, providing a much-needed boost after a challenging start to their European campaign.