Bruun and Athenea shine at the Di Stéfano
Real Madrid CF defeated RCD Espanyol 3-0 at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium. Signe Bruun, Athenea del Castillo, who was the MVP of the match, and Sara Holmgaard scored the three goals. Browne scored for the away side, but the goal was disallowed for a foul. The home side returned to winning ways.
08 FEB 2026
Before the match kicked off, Athenea del Castillo received the trophy and award for January's Player of the Month in Liga F Moeve. Additionally, an emotional minute's silence was held in memory of Manolín Bueno, former footballer for the Madrid club. The first chance of the match fell to Pau Comendador, but the winger was met by a superb save from the RCD Espanyol goalkeeper. Six minutes into the match, Athenea threaded a ball through to Signe Bruun, who fired past the visiting goalkeeper with a powerful shot to break the deadlock at the Di Stéfano. Sara Monforte's side tried to react from set-pieces, with Ainoa Campo in inspired form, but it was Athenea del Castillo who pounced on a rebound from the French goalkeeper after a shot from Angeldahl, to double their lead on the scoreboard.
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The Cantabrian attacker, who was the MVP of the match, put on a masterclass in the first half, and continued to pose a threat to the opposition goal. Pau Comendador also tried her luck with a timid shot near the half-hour mark. Sara Monforte made a tactical change, with Laia Ballesté coming on for the young Ariadna Doménech. Signe Bruun, from the edge of the box, aimed for goal, but without success. After the break, Eva Navarro came on for the white side, while Mar Torras did likewise for the 'Perico' club. RCD Espanyol started the second half better, and Browne managed to pull a goal back on the scoreboard, although the referee disallowed the goal for a prior foul by the forward on Rocío Gálvez. The home side was spared the goal.
The Madrid side once again tried to extend their lead with a powerful shot from Pau Comendador that went over. Amaia Martínez played her first minutes for the 'Blanquiazul' team after returning from injury, but near the hour mark, Eva Navarro delivered a cross into the box, Signe Bruun flicked the ball on with her head, and Sara Holmgaard at the far post didn't hesitate, sending the ball straight into the back of the net to make it 3-0, which would ultimately prove decisive. With this goal, Pau Quesada's side faced the remainder of the match with greater calm, and even appealed for two possible penalties that the referee did not award. With this victory, Real Madrid CF remain in 2nd position in Liga F Moeve with 44 points, while the visitors stay with 20 points to their tally.