Arsenal, with Stina Blackstenius in the starting lineup, went into the meeting as favorites and also dominated much of the game. It didn't help much.
Just Blackstenius was close to breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute, but the shot – which was heading into the far corner – was saved by Real goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez. And three minutes later, it was 1–0 to the home team, where blue-yellow national team midfielder Filippa Angeldahl played from the start.
Miss behind the lead goal
In a quick counterattack, Dane Signe Bruun sent a long ball into the depths that seemed to be stuck on an opposing defender. But instead of breaking, Arsenal's Leah Williamson kicked air and suddenly Linda Caicedo was free. The Colombian striker calmly rolled in 1–0 to Real.
Arsenal had trouble creating any really sharp scoring opportunities on the subpar grass pitch. A long shot from Beth Mead at the end of the first half was one of the few exceptions.
Instead of an equalizer, Arsenal leaves Spain with a two-goal deficit ahead of the return match in London next Wednesday. With ten minutes left to play, a new counterattack ended with Athenea del Castillo sending in 2–0 behind the visitors' goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.
Three Swedes on the bench
Arsenal's three other Swedes – Rosa Kafaji, Amanda Ilestedt, and Lina Hurtig – started on the bench. Hurtig was substituted in with just over five minutes left to play, but the physically strong striker didn't manage to get a hold of Real either.
For Real Madrid, advancing would mean a milestone. The club's women's team, which was formed as CD Tacón in 2014 and was taken over by Real in 2019, has never reached the Champions League semifinals before.
