Real Madrid Women 2-1 Ajax Amsterdam Women | UEFA Women's Champions League

Real Madrid Women took control of their UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying tie with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Ajax Amsterdam Women. The result gives the Spanish side a slender advantage to take into the return leg, but the Dutch champions demonstrated enough quality to leave the tie very much alive.

Match summary

Real Madrid started brightly and opened the scoring early in the contest, converting a well-created chance after sustained pressure. Their attacking intent caused Ajax problems, with the visitors struggling to keep hold of the ball inside their own half during the opening period.

Ajax responded with typical resilience after the break. They grew into the match, improved their pressing and eventually found the equaliser through a well-taken goal that silenced the home crowd. Just when the tie seemed to be swinging in the Dutch side's favour, Real Madrid regained the lead with a composed finish late in the second half, securing an important victory ahead of the second leg.

Standout performers

• Real Madrid Women showed character to respond immediately after Ajax's equaliser, a sign of a group comfortable with European pressure.
• Ajax Amsterdam Women proved they are a dangerous opponent on the road, and their away goal could prove crucial in the return fixture.
• The pace and intensity of the match made it an absorbing contest for neutrals, with both teams committing bodies forward in the closing stages.

What comes next

Real Madrid Women carry a one-goal lead into the second leg, knowing that an away goal can give Ajax real hope. The Dutch side will believe they can overturn the deficit in front of their own fans, especially after showing the attacking threat required to score at the highest level.

For Real Madrid, the immediate challenge now is to consolidate their performance and ensure they manage the second leg with the same maturity that decided this opening encounter.