Real Madrid edged Arsenal in the first leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-finals to take the lead in the tie, which will be decided on Wednesday 26 March at the Emirates Stadium. Linda Caicedo put the Whites ahead at the Alfredo Di Stéfano in the first half and Athenea sealed the victory in the 82nd minute.

The early exchanges were fairly even. After twenty minutes of play, Blackstenius tried her luck with a low shot in the box that Misa turned behind with a fantastic save. The Madridistas replied in the 22nd minute through Linda Caicedo. Bruun superbly picked out the Colombian winger, who capitalised on a mistake by the opposition defence to beat Zinsberger with a right-footed strike just inside the post to make it 1-0.
 
The Whites were solid throughout and hardly conceded any chances, but before the break Mead had a chance to restore parity when her low effort from the edge of the area went just wide of the post. The first chance after the interval fell to Real Madrid. Olga won the ball back in her own half and slipped a fine through ball to Linda C. The forward ran down the left flank into the Arsenal box, where she was brought down by Fox. She appealed for a penalty but the referee waved it away (52').

Athenea makes it 2-0
The visitors continued to push for a goal after a flurry of corner kicks, only to be denied by some fine defending from the Madrid backline and Misa in goal. In the 63rd minute, Toril sent on Irune for the injured Leupolz and five minutes later Weir almost doubled the lead with a powerful shot from outside the area that Zinsberger dealt with brilliantly. And in the 82nd minute the hosts made it 2-0. Athenea, who had only just come onto the pitch, sealed the game with a superb right-footed shot from the edge of the area. This was a fantastic result for Real Madrid, who will be looking to progress to the semi-finals on Wednesday 26th in London.

MATCH INFO:
2-Real Madrid: Misa, Shei, Lakrar, M. Méndez, Olga, Toletti, Leupolz (Irune, 63’), Weir (Antonia S., 87’), Angeldahl, Linda C. (Athenea, 74’), Bruun (Feller, 74’).
0-Arsenal: Zinsberger, McCabe, Catley, Williamson, Fox, Cooney-Cross (Wälti, 69’), Little, Mariona (Maanum, 85’), Russo (Hurtig, 85’), Mead (Kelly, 46’), Blackstenius (Foord, 46’).
Goals
1-0 (min. 22): Linda C.
2-0 (min. 82): Athenea.