Match day two in the Women’s Champions League unfolded as a dramatic end for Celtic, who faced an uphill battle against Real Madrid. Both clubs were on a desperate quest for points, yet it was the Spanish side that emerged with a decisive three. The Scottish team conceding the first goal almost straight away. Real Madrid struggled to capitalize fully on their chances, creating moments of hope for the tenacious Celtic side. Let’s look into the clash between Real Madrid and Celtic at the Estadi Alfredo Di Stéfano.
Real Madrid takes the lead early in the game
The first five minutes of the first half were mostly dominated by Real Madrid. Celtic’s defense was well organized, but they could not get off their own half. It did not come as an surpise that Real Madrid was able to score their first goal after 7 minutes. Linda Caicedo made a great run, leaving multiple Celtic players behind her. She passed to Weir, who’s shot from outside the box was unstoppable for Daugherty. Not a great start for Celtic.
Fifteen minutes went by and Real Madrid had four attempts on goal, while Celtic had zero. The home team wad looking for the space behind Celtics defense to double their lead The visitorsdid not give it away that easily but setting up any type of attack was not working out for them.
A little bit of hope for Celtic
Celtic set up their first attack around 25 minutes in the match. The cross into the box was stopped by the Spanish defense. It immediately turned around into a chance for Caicedo but Bruna was there to put a stop to it. It was good to see the team recover and handle Real Madrid’s pressure better. Especially on the right wing, Emma Lawton got past Olga Carmona a couple times.
A very dangerous moment when Natalie Ross lost the ball on the edge of the box. Real Madrid immediately goes for goal, but Kelly Clark blocked the shot. It resulted in a corner-kick for Real Madrid, but Celtic’s defense cleared it. Real Madrid’s biggest problem in the first half is not finishing their chances. It could have been 3-0 by half-time.
Just before the break Real Madrid’s corner lands with Oihane, who gets a shot away, but it deflected of Gallagher and hits the post. There was no added time in the first half. Celtic stopped another Real Madrid attack. Athenea made her way up the right wing, follow by Bruna, who stopped Athenea in the box with a good tackle.
Half-Time Statistics
 | Teams |  |
| 58% | Ball possession | 42% |
| 8 | Attempts on target | 0 |
| 19 | Total attempts | 1 |
| 9 | Corners | 0 |
| 1 | Offsides | 2 |
| 293 | Passes | 155 |
| (260) | (Completed) | (115) |
| 1 | Fouls committed | 3 |
| 0/0 | Yellow/Red cards | 1/0 |
A rocket strike from Caicedo
It was much of the same in the second half: Real Madrid building up attack after attack. Linda Caicedo shook the woodwork with an incredible shot from in the box. Goalkeeper Daugherty would not have been able to stop her. Luckily the post was there instead. The scoresheet was unchanged 10 minutes into the second half.
An unexpected break out from Emma Lawton sat everyone at the edge of their seat for a moment. Her teammate was offside but she stopped her run so that Lawton could advance to the goal. Lawton’s shot went in the side net but rekindled the fire for Celtic.
Substitutions to break the game wide open
Eva Navarro and Bruun came on for Athenea and Redonda. Head coach Alberto Toril had to change it up for his team to be able to score the 2-0. So far Celtics defensive works were very succesful not allowing Real Madrid any big chances.
Elena Sadiku had the same thought and brough Cross on for Agnew. The substitute immediateley got right in the middle of the action; Cross dispossessed Lakrar and got fouled by the Real Madrid player, who got a yellow card. Celtic was not able to utilise the free kick Cross earned them.
A huge let off for Celtics; Daugherty got the ball from her defender and tried to kick it long, but Real Madrid’s attacker was there to put on the pressure block that shot. The ball deflected on the Spanish player and nearly went in Celtics goal.
Three goals in 11 minutes
Real Madrid had trouble scoring the 2-0 until the 72th minute. The home team had many chances but could just not get it right. Eventually Melanie Leupolz found Navarro on the right wing. Navarro, who was just subbed on, sent the cross away to Bruun. The Danish football player headed it past Daugherty.
After that, the team ruthlessly netted another two goals in just 11 minutes, extinguishing any flicker of hope for Celtic as they lost their second UWCL match. The 3-0 beauty by Møller (chipped effort from range) was closely followed by the 4-0. Caicedo earned a penalty for Real Madrid after McGregor clumsily took her down in the box. Caicedo stepped up, striking the ball flawlessly. Daugherty’s got her hands to the ball but not enough to stop it.
The scoresheet at full time: 4-0 for Real Madrid. The Spanish team earned their first three points in the Women’s Champions League 2024/2025.
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