Arsenal loses 2-0 to Real Madrid in Women's Champions League quarter-final

Arsenal Women suffered a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, with goals from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo. The match was marred by poor pitch conditions at the Estadio Alfredo di Stéfano, described as a 'disgrace' by Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who criticized the muddy surface on social media. Despite having a game plan, Arsenal struggled to adapt to the conditions, leading to costly mistakes, including a missed interception that resulted in the opening goal. Wright's comments echoed broader concerns about the standard of playing surfaces for women's football, especially in high-profile matches, with similar criticisms raised about the pitch used in the recent Women's League Cup final. Arsenal will need a strong comeback in the second leg at the Emirates to avoid elimination from the tournament. The match also raised concerns about injuries, with Real Madrid's Melanie Leupolz appearing to suffer a knee injury during the game.