Annelie Leitner puts Real Madrid's European qualification on hold
The Riojan club drew (1-1) against Real Madrid CF at the Di Stéfano. A goal from Linda Caicedo four minutes into the match opened the scoring, but Annelie Leitner, who was the MVP of the encounter, levelled the score in the final minute to delay the hosts' qualification for the Champions League.
26 APR 2026
The Madridistas quickly took control of the match, and four minutes into the game, Linda Caicedo picked up the ball far from the box. The Colombian played a one-two with Alba Redondo, who returned the ball to her teammate for her to open the scoring with a superb goal. A few minutes later, Lotte Keukelaar looked for a second, driving into the box, but couldn't find any teammates. Irune Dorado also tried her luck from the edge of the box, but couldn't find the goal. Meanwhile, DUX Logroño looked to create danger through the speed of Flavine Mawete, but the white defence remained very solid at the back. Miralles was imperial between the sticks, saving a good shot from Sara Däbritz. The goalkeeper also saved a good effort from Eva Navarro, who was already looking to create danger. Before half-time, Keukelaar continued to try and create danger.
However, the winger repeatedly ran into the opposition defence. The last big chance of the first half was a direct free-kick from Sara Däbritz that went over the crossbar. After the restart, Real Madrid continued to look for Linda Caicedo in attack, who tried to get past the opposition defence. Both coaches made changes from the bench. Feller and Weir were the new faces in the white attack, replacing Keukelaar, who left injured, and Sara Däbritz, while midfielder Margarita Giménez came on for the Riojan team. Feller tried her luck in the home attack, and Isina attempted to find the equaliser for the visiting side. Past the hour mark, Angeldahl tried to surprise with a long-range shot that went well wide. The Madrid team appealed for a possible penalty on Linda Caicedo, but after an FVS review, the referee waved play on.
The Madridista Irune Dorado also had to leave injured. DUX Logroño had a chance for the equaliser with a long-range shot that didn't find the opposition goal. Academy player Iria Toledo came on for the visiting team to play the final stretch of the match, where the home side couldn't quite seal the game, and the 'vinotinto' side took advantage with a ball into the box that went straight into the hands of Frohms, who gathered the ball without any problems. The home side had the match in the bag, until, in one of the last plays of the match, Rebeca sent in a cross to the box that Annelie Leitner headed on. The defender, who was the MVP of the match, surprised the German goalkeeper to send the ball into the back of the net and make it 1-1, securing a draw that maintains their five-point lead over the relegation zone and makes Real Madrid wait for their Champions League qualification.