Real Madrid beat Sporting Club Portugal at the Aurelio Pereira stadium in the first leg of the Women's Champions League qualifiers. Athenea gave Toril's side the lead after eleven minutes, but Andreia Bravo scored from the penalty spot to equalise in first-half injury time. In the last minute of the game, Leupolz made sure that The Whites' dominance and belief would be rewarded with the winner (2-1). The qualification will be decided at the Alfredo Di Stéfano next Thursday, 26th September.

The match started with no let-up and after just two minutes Sporting Club Portugal could have taken the lead when Raphino, who was one-on-one with Misa, shot wide from the edge of the area. Real Madrid‘s response came nine minutes later and it was a resounding one. A long ball from Leupolz behind the home defence and a clever Athenea took advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Seabert to steal the ball and slot home to make it 1-0.

Chances
Toril‘s side could have widened the gap on the half-hour mark when Angeldahl’s back-heeled shot in the 38th minute ended up in Seabert's hands. And when everything seemed to indicate that we were going to go into the break with the lead, a penalty from Misa on Raphino was converted by Andreia Bravo to make it 1-1. Our team had been the better side in the first half, but it was time to start again after the home goal. The second half started at a slower pace and still, the chances kept coming. Alba Redondo controlled the ball with her back to goal in the 58th minute, with a beautiful manoeuvre she turned and her powerful left-footed shot missed the target by inches.

The Whites' dominance in their quest for victory became increasingly apparent, and they were rewarded in stoppage time when Olga's cross was parried by the home keeper and Leupolz, quicker than anyone in the six-yard box, headed the ball into the net. It was a well-deserved win for Real Madrid and the first step towards qualification at the Di Stefano in a week's time.

MATCH INFO:
1-Sporting Club Portugal: Seabert, Ana Borges, Eaton-Collins, Norheim, Alicia Correia, Diana Siva (Gala, 71‘), Brenda Pérez, Cláudia Neto, Andreia Bravo (Fátima P., 77’), Telma Encarnacao (Maisa, 77‘) and Raphino (Capeta, 59’).

2-Real Madrid: Misa, Oihane, Toletti (Teresa, 79‘), Olga, Weir, Alba Redondo (Bruun, 59’), M. Méndez, Angeldahl (Eva Navarro, 59‘), Athenea (Feller, 87’), Lakrar and Leupolz.

Goals
0-1 (min. 11): Athenea
1-1 (min. 45): Andreia Bravo (penalty)
1-2 (min. 90): Leupolz