Victory over Rosenborg to edge closer to the group stage

Real Madrid got off to the perfect start in the second qualifying round of the Women’s Champions League. Alberto Toril’s charges convincingly defeated Rosenburg in the first leg of the tie and will go into the return match at the Alfredo Di Stéfano with a three-goal advantage. Weir, who bagged a brace, and Athenea, who scored one and provided two assists, inspired the Whites to victory. The madridistas will now try to secure their place in the group stage on Wednesday, 28 September, at 8pm (CET).
 
Both sides played at high intensity from the kick off and this led to several chances in the first ten minutes. First, Athenea went close when her shot from inside the six-yard box was turned away by Christensen. Soon after, Esther fired narrowly over the crossbar. But the Whites opened the scoring in the 14^th minute when Weir fired a wonderful strike from outside the area into the top corner, after she had been fed by Athenea. The madridistas began to dominate the play from this moment and on the half-hour mark they doubled their lead. Once again, Athenea was involved, as she first beat two defenders on the edge of the box before striking the ball off the post and into the goal to make it 0-2.

Weir bags a brace
As the half entered the closing stages, the Norwegians almost reduced the deficit, but Misa produced a fine out-stretched save. After the restart, the Whites continued to go in search of another goal. Six minutes into the second half, Athenea played a ball into the area for Weir who superbly controlled it and slotted home past Christensen for her second of the game. The hosts looked to find a way back into the match, but the Madrid defence stood tall to keep them at bay. Real Madrid sealed another victory, as they remain unbeaten and have yet to concede a goal this season.

MATCH INFO:
0-Rosenborg: Christensen, Leine, Næss, Andreassen (Brønstad, 90’), Joramo, Olsvik, Jøsendal, Harviken, S. Hansen (Minde, 59’), Nautnes (Fornes, 90’), Magnúsdóttir (Nergård, 76’).
3-Real Madrid: Misa, K. Robles, Rocío, Toletti (Teresa, 76’), Esther (Nahikari, 76’), Weir (Møller, 86’), Kathellen, Zornoza, Athenea (C. Camacho, 86’), Svava, Freja Siri (M. Oroz, 62’).
 
Goals
0-1 (min. 14): Weir.
0-2 (min. 34): Athenea.
0-3 (min. 52): Weir.