A thumping win to book a Copa de la Reina quarter-final spot

Real Madrid beat Espanyol at the Ciudad Deportiva Dani Jarque and secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa de la Reina, which will be played between 3rd and 5th February. Our team took the lead with a superb goal from Linda Caicedo (12'), extended their advantage with a powerful right-footed strike from Iris Ashley at the end of the first half (44'), and sealed the win with two more goals from our forwards at the start of the second half. The Colombian scored her brace in the 53rd minute and the academy graduate did the same in the 56th minute.

The first few minutes were spent sizing each other up. The rain slowed down the ball's flow. It was the blue and white team that was the first to create danger. Arana reached the edge of the six-yard box and shot. Misa made a confident save. Madrid were warned. They improved a lot: they pushed forward, pressed and took control of the second balls. They were now setting the pace of the game.

A Madrid siege
With plenty of space in the opposition's half, Eva Navarro gained ground down the right wing, creating danger; Athenea tried her luck with a cross-shot that crashed against the base of the post, and Däbritz was involved in building up play down the inside channels, creating space. Madrid were laying siege to the Espanyol goal. It was right there, on the edge of the area, 13 metres from goal, that Linda Caicedo found a gap. The Colombian struck a powerful left-footed shot with the inside of her foot that flew into the top corner (12'). It was impossible to stop, despite the opposing goalkeeper's dive. Real Madrid took the lead.

Espanyol wanted to equalise, but Misa made two saves to deny a dangerous shot in the 30th minute. The visitors soon regained the initiative and ended the next move with Holmgaard entering the opposition's area to shoot, without luck, with the defence closing in. It was only a matter of time. Madrid extended their lead. Athenea appeared, looked up under pressure and played a low pass. Iris Ashley, tireless in attack, got to the ball first through her speed. The youth player controlled the ball beautifully and finished powerfully (44'), high and to the left of Muñoz, who once again bore witness to Madrid's striking power.

Madrid doubles
Madrid returned from the dressing room with the same energy. They warned Espanyol with a dangerous chance that Athenea created. The Cantabrian striker would see her ball hit the post again, this time after a saving touch from the goalkeeper. The Blue and Whites' luck was short-lived, as Linda Caicedo finished off the next move with a fantastic curling shot to score the third goal of the night (53').

It was to be an evening of braces. Iris Ashley waited patiently in the six-yard box for a cross from the left by Linda Caicedo to push the ball into the back of the net and score her fourth goal of the season (56'). Weir could also have joined the list of goal scorers. The fifth goal did not materialise as her shot hit the woodwork, which prevented at least three further goals from Real Madrid throughout the evening. The match in Barcelona was already decided.

MATCH INFO:
0-Espanyol: Muñoz, Torras (Durán 85'), Del Álamo (Browne 62'), Baudet (Botero 70'), Ona (Garrido 62'), Ballesté, Paula, Arana (Naima 70'), Torrodà, Guerra and Caracas.
4-Real Madrid: Misa, Eva Navarro (Shei 69'), M. Méndez, Andersson, Holmgaard, Weir (Bennison 74'), Angeldahl (Irune 63'), Däbritz, Athenea, Linda C. (Pau C. 63') and Iris Ashley (Feller 63').

Goals
0-1 (min. 12): Linda C.
0-2 (min. 44): Iris Ashley.
0-3 (min. 53): Linda C.
0-4 (min. 56): Iris Ashley.