Real Madrid takes the lead in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League playoff

Real Madrid defeated Paris FC 2-3 in the first leg of the playoff for a place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League, held at the Stade Charléty. The hosts took the lead through a goal by Korošec in the 11th minute. Our team grew stronger as the minutes passed and found the equalizer through Weir (39'). Before halftime, Athenea, who played her 200th match as a madridista, made it 1-2. In the second half, Linda C. scored the 1-3 in the 83rd minute. Paris reduced the deficit in the 89th minute through Mendy.

The match began with a few minutes of probing play. Real Madrid tried to create danger through quick transitions, but it was Paris FC who took the lead through Korošec (11'). Pau Quesada’s side pushed forward, took control of possession, and gained depth, pinning the opponent in their half. The equalizer nearly arrived in the 25th minute after a cross from Athenea that Weir narrowly missed connecting with.

Athenea scores in her 200th match
Persistence paid off before the break. Weir capitalized on a rebound from a long shot by Däbritz that hit the post to make it 1-1 (39'). Our team didn’t settle for the draw and, six minutes later, finished off a blistering counterattack with a cross-shot by Athenea, who was playing her 200th match with Real Madrid, to establish the 1-2 (45').

After the restart, the pace remained high. Athenea had a chance to score a brace in the 54th minute, but her shot went wide. The hosts sought the equalizer, but the madridistas defended well and capitalized on open spaces to extend the lead. In the 83rd minute, a superb pass from Misa from her own half found Linda C., who outpaced her marker and finished in the area to score the 1-3. In the 89th minute, Mendy reduced the deficit for Paris FC. The scoreline didn’t change further, and Real Madrid secured a hard-fought away victory in the tie, which will be decided on Wednesday, February 18, at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium. 

LINEUP
2-Paris FC: Chavas, N’Dongala (Haheim, 83'), Hocine, Greboval, Bogaert, Picard (Mendy, 71'), Korošec, Garbino (Liaigre, 59'), Le Moguedec, Mateo, and Azzaro (Jedlinska, 72').
3-Real Madrid: Misa, Eva Navarro, M. Méndez, Lakrar, Yasmim, Weir (Toletti, 71'), Däbritz, Angeldahl, Athenea, Linda C., and Feller.

Goals
1-0 (min. 11): Korošec.
1-1 (min. 39): Weir.
1-2 (min. 45+): Athenea.
1-3 (min. 83): Linda C.
2-3 (min. 89): Mendy.