Real Madrid faced Espanyol at the Ciudad Deportiva Dani Jarque in the 9th matchday of Liga F, a game that ended 0–1 and saw the Madrid side holding on in the closing minutes as Espanyol pressed hard on Misa Rodríguez’s goal.
The match began with an ambitious Espanyol, pressing high and keeping their lines tight to make Real Madrid’s build-up play difficult. That approach paid off early on: within the first five minutes, the Catalan side won a dangerous ball high up the pitch, and Naima, one of the most active players, tried her luck with a shot that went narrowly wide. It was the first real warning of the match, showing that Espanyol would not simply sit back and defend.
However, Espanyol’s early push was quickly neutralized by Real Madrid, who began to impose their technical and physical superiority through sustained possession and high pressure. As the minutes went by, Alberto Toril’s team took control of both the ball and the territory. Real Madrid forced three consecutive corners and produced nine shots on goal in just fifteen minutes, most from the edge of the box or from the flanks.
The game was almost entirely played in Espanyol’s half, as the hosts held firm but saw every Madrid recovery turn into a new attack. The most dangerous player during that stretch was Athenea del Castillo, who was unstoppable down the right wing, constantly beating her marker with pace and power. In one of her runs, she crossed to Alba Redondo, who found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Shortly after, Athenea was brought down by Vallejo, who received the first yellow card of the match.
Espanyol hold their ground
Despite Madrid’s dominance, Espanyol did not drop their intensity and managed to stay organized defensively. The Catalans took advantage of every opportunity to counterattack, and on one break down the right they forced Misa Rodríguez into a solid save from a high cross. The pace of the game slowed slightly after the halfway point of the first half, with more duels in midfield and alternating spells of possession, although Madrid remained the side carrying more threat whenever they accelerated play. The combination play through the middle, the pressure down the wings, and the constant deliveries into the box kept Salvador busy in Espanyol’s goal as she worked to preserve the stalemate.
Real Madrid strike just before the break
When it seemed the first half was heading for a goalless draw, Real Madrid finally found their reward. In the final five minutes, a well-worked move down the left saw Feller combine neatly with Sara Däbritz. The German midfielder, from a tight angle, attempted a clever curling shot toward the far post. In trying to clear, an Espanyol defender deflected the ball into her own net, leaving Salvador helpless. Initially the goal was credited to Däbritz, but it was later confirmed as an own goal, giving Real Madrid a 0–1 lead right before half-time.
The goal reflected the story of the first half: Real Madrid were superior, more vertical and persistent, finding their advantage through Espanyol’s mistake. Still, the home side went into the break with their heads held high, showing strong organization, tactical discipline, and resilience. Real Madrid, on the other hand, left the pitch satisfied, having turned their dominance into a narrow lead after a half of near-total control.
Second half: balanced a full of subtitution after the 75th minute
After the interval, Real Madrid tried to push higher up, but encountered an Espanyol side that also came out stronger. The hosts began to reach the final third more frequently than in the first half, though neither team managed to create clear chances. Däbritz tried again from the edge of the area, but her shot went comfortably into Salvador’s hands.
At times, Madrid attempted to inject pace down the flanks, but struggled to find the same rhythm as in the opening period. Notably, there were no substitutions from either side even after the hour mark — the usual time to bring on fresh legs. The tempo remained steady, set mostly by Madrid’s controlled possession, while Espanyol looked to break quickly whenever they recovered the ball.
The Catalan side showed efficiency in front of goal, finishing nearly every attack with a shot on target. Eva Navarro also stood out, showing her speed and defensive awareness as a full-back — a role in which Quesada has trusted her since the start of the season. It wasn’t until the 71st minute that Real Madrid made the first changes of the match: Athenea del Castillo and Angeldahl made way for Weir and Keukelaar, respectively.
Late controversy and Espanyol pressure
Real Madrid continued to look threatening, but possession became more even as Espanyol gained confidence. The visitors claimed a possible penalty on Keukelaar, similar to the one involving Feller in the first half, but once again the referee called an attacking foul, leaving Madrid without any option to review the decision. Aside from that controversial moment, the closing minutes were filled with tension and intensity. Espanyol pushed forward aggressively, keeping the ball in Madrid’s half, while the visitors held on and effectively “asked for the final whistle” to preserve their slim lead.
A hard-fought win and standings update
With this 0–1 victory, Real Madrid Femenino move back up to second place in the table, while Espanyol, showing better performances than results, drop to 11th with 9 points. It was a fierce contest at the Dani Jarque, where Real Madrid showed their edge and efficiency, and Espanyol proved they are growing stronger and more competitive in Liga F.
FICHA TÉCNICA
Real Madrid: Misa, Eva Navarro, Rocío, M.Mendez, Holmgaard, Angeldahl (Keukelaar, 71'), Tolettí, Däbritz, Athenea (Weir, 71'), Feller (Iris Asleigh , Redeondo (Benninson, 87')
Goals:
⚽ 0-1 Simona (OG) (42')
Reefs and cards:
Referee: María Gloria Planes
Assistants: Alexia Mayer, María De Las Mercedes Parra
4th Referee: Josefa Sánchez
Cards:
Yellow: Vallejo (35'), Ainoa (49'), M. Méndez (89')
Red Card: -
Información del partido:
Location:Ciudad Deportiva Dani Jarque
Date and hour: 18:30 - 2/20/2025
0 Comments