Real Madrid Women Dominate Celtic Women in 4-0 Champions League Victory

Real Madrid Women delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Celtic Women in their second group-stage match of the Women’s Champions League. The Spanish side, determined to bounce back from their earlier defeat, secured their first win of the campaign in front of their home crowd in Madrid. Celtic, on the other hand, remain without a point after suffering consecutive defeats in Group B. Goals from Caroline Weir, Signe Bruun, Caroline Moller, and Linda Caicedo sealed the win for Real Madrid, leaving Celtic with much to reflect on after a tough night.

Weir's Early Stunner Sets the Tone

Real Madrid set the pace of the match early on, with Scottish midfielder Caroline Weir delivering a sensational strike just seven minutes into the game. Weir’s 20-yard screamer left Celtic goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty with no chance as the ball rocketed into the back of the net. The early goal set the tone for what would be a dominant performance from the Spanish side, who looked in control from the opening whistle.

Celtic, despite the early setback, showed resilience in their defensive efforts. They were under constant pressure as Real Madrid continued to bombard the Celtic goal with shot after shot. By the end of the match, Real had registered an overwhelming 29 attempts on goal, underscoring their attacking dominance. However, Celtic managed to survive the first half without conceding further, thanks in part to some last-ditch defending and a touch of luck. Real Madrid came close to doubling their lead when a shot from Caroline Moller deflected off Celtic's Amy Gallacher and struck the woodwork.

Celtic’s Resilient Defense Crumbles Late

Despite being under siege for much of the game, Celtic's defense held firm until the 72nd minute. Real Madrid’s second goal came from Signe Bruun, who headed home a well-placed cross from Eva Navarro. The goal was the culmination of a slick team move, and it effectively ended Celtic’s hopes of staging a comeback. Bruun’s goal broke the floodgates, and it wasn’t long before Real Madrid added to their tally.

Ten minutes later, Caroline Moller added a third goal, capitalizing on a moment of indecision from Celtic’s goalkeeper, Daugherty. Moller spotted Daugherty off her line and coolly chipped the ball over her head to extend Real Madrid’s lead. The goal was a clever piece of opportunism from Moller and highlighted the quality of Real Madrid’s attacking play.

The fourth and final goal came just three minutes later when Linda Caicedo won a penalty after being fouled by Celtic’s Shannon McGregor. Caicedo stepped up to the spot and confidently converted, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 victory for the Spanish side. The goal completed a difficult night for Celtic, who were left to rue their inability to withstand Real Madrid’s relentless attacking pressure.

Real Madrid’s First Win in the Group Stage

The victory was a significant one for Real Madrid as it put them back on track in their Champions League campaign. After suffering a loss in their opening fixture, this win secured their first points of the group stage and reignited their hopes of advancing further in the competition. Real Madrid’s commanding performance not only demonstrated their attacking prowess but also highlighted their defensive solidity, as they kept a clean sheet against a Celtic side that struggled to create clear-cut chances.

For Celtic, this defeat marked their second consecutive loss in Group B, following a similar result in their opening match. The Scottish side now finds themselves at the bottom of the group with no points, and they face an uphill battle to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Despite the heavy defeat, Celtic’s performance was not without positives, particularly their ability to frustrate Real Madrid for long periods of the game.

Elena Sadiku Reflects on Celtic’s Performance

Following the match, Celtic head coach Elena Sadiku remained upbeat despite the result. Speaking to Celtic TV, Sadiku expressed pride in her team’s performance, emphasizing the effort and resilience shown by her players against one of the top teams in European women’s football.

"I am very proud of the girls; we competed against one of the biggest clubs in the world for 70 minutes," Sadiku said. "We worked really hard in defense, tried not to concede any goals, and the first goal they scored was high quality from high-quality players."

Sadiku acknowledged that the result was harsh on her side, noting that Celtic had defended admirably for much of the game. "Losing 4-0 is something I don't think we deserve," she added. "This experience is something we want to learn from and grow because this performance needs to give the girls confidence."

The Celtic coach also highlighted the significance of the match in the context of the team’s broader development. "To be here now with this experience, the girls living the dream, is something we need to learn from and take with us," Sadiku said. "Nobody believed we would be here, and to play against Real Madrid the way we did is something I am very proud of."

Looking Ahead

Celtic’s Champions League journey has been a challenging one so far, and their next matches will be crucial if they hope to turn things around in Group B. While the back-to-back defeats have been tough, there is still time for Sadiku’s side to bounce back and make their mark in the competition. The key for Celtic will be to build on the positive aspects of their performances, particularly their defensive organization, while finding ways to pose more of a threat in attack.

For Real Madrid, this win provides a much-needed boost as they look to advance to the knockout stages of the competition. With the likes of Weir, Bruun, Moller, and Caicedo all finding the back of the net, Real Madrid’s attacking depth and quality were on full display. The Spanish side will now aim to carry this momentum into their upcoming fixtures as they seek to secure a place in the latter stages of the Women’s Champions League.

Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory over Celtic in the Women’s Champions League was a display of attacking brilliance and defensive resilience. Caroline Weir’s early strike set the tone for the evening, and late goals from Signe Bruun, Caroline Moller, and Linda Caicedo completed the rout. Despite the heavy defeat, Celtic can take pride in their effort and determination, with head coach Elena Sadiku praising her players for their performance against one of Europe’s top teams. As both teams move forward in the competition, Real Madrid will look to build on this win, while Celtic will aim to regroup and learn from their experience on the European stage.