Real Madrid Women produced a ruthless second-half display to beat Paris FC 3-0 in the Women's Champions League league phase on Tuesday night, with substitutes Lineth Beerensteyn and Linda Caicedo both scoring at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
After a goalless first half in Madrid, Arianna Caruso broke the deadlock ten minutes after the restart, before Beerensteyn and Caicedo — both introduced from the bench — finished the job in a one-sided second period. Felicia Schroder created the last two goals in a matchday four win that keeps Madrid firmly in the hunt in the league phase.
Madrid's bench turns a stalemate into a rout
Paris FC frustrated the hosts before the break, with Athenea del Castillo's yellow card the only entry in the referee's book in a first half that ended 0-0. The game changed with the substitutions. Beerensteyn replaced Del Castillo at half-time, and on 55 minutes Sky Sports recorded the opener: Caruso finishing a fast break with a right-footed shot from the centre of the box.
Caicedo then came on for Elisa Senss in the 62nd minute, and three minutes later Schroder's through ball sent Beerensteyn in to fire into the top left corner for 2-0. The same combination settled it on 81 minutes, Schroder again the provider as Caicedo swept a left-footed finish in from the left side of the six-yard box. Caruso's late booking was the only blemish on a clean, controlled night for the home side.
Paris FC had refreshed their side early — Scott replaced Oceane Picard at the break, and Sangare and Torres followed on the hour — but the changes could not stem the tide. Madrid, by contrast, still had the luxury of withdrawing the excellent Schroder for Filippa Angeldahl six minutes from time, with Levels and Bejarano also given late minutes. When a team can take off its two-assist playmaker and barely notice, the squad is in a healthy place.
So what: Madrid keep pace on a busy night
Madrid were not the only winners on a packed Tuesday. Manchester City won 4-1 at Inter for their first victory of the league phase, while Bayern Munich won 2-1 at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea were held to a goalless draw at Hacken. The full list of results is on UEFA, with Roma's 2-1 win over Servette completing the night.
For Paris FC, a second-half collapse after holding Madrid for 55 minutes leaves the French side with ground to make up in the final two league-phase rounds. For Madrid, the message is happier: their squad depth won this game. Two substitutes scored, a third created both late goals, and the clean sheet was never seriously threatened once the opener went in.
Beyond the Final Whistle: this is what a Champions League squad looks like. Madrid's starters could not break Paris FC down, so the bench did it for them — Beerensteyn's energy, Schroder's passing and Caicedo's ice-cold finish off the bench is a combination no defence in this league phase will enjoy facing in the closing rounds.
Can Madrid's bench keep delivering when the knockout rounds arrive? Let us know in the comments.
