Paris FC lost 3-2 to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Women's Champions League playoff on Wednesday, February 11, at Stade Charléty amid heavy rain. The Parisians scored first but were overtaken before halftime, narrowing the gap late in the game. The return leg in Madrid next Wednesday will decide their quarterfinal qualification.
The match took place under heavy rain at Stade Charléty. Paris FC started strongly, dominating the Madrid side and taking the lead in the 10th minute with a volley from Slovenian Kaja Korosec off a corner by Maëlle Garbino (1-0). The Parisians, coached by Sandrine Soubeyrand, held their advantage until late in the first half, but Real Madrid equalized in the 39th minute through Scottish player Caroline Weir, who has scored five goals in the Champions League this season, before Colombian Athenea Del Castillo put the visitors ahead at the 45th (2-1).
In the second half, play evened out as the rain eased. Real Madrid extended their lead in the 83rd minute with a goal from Colombian Linda Caicedo (3-1). Paris FC responded late: Maéline Mendy, substituting for Océane Picard, pulled one back in the 89th minute (3-2), keeping faint hopes alive for the return leg.
“The hope is still there. It's only 3-2,” said defender Lou Bogaert to L'Équipe channel. “It was a high-level match. The coach told us to keep going like that, to stay united, because unity is strength. We can go there and score two goals.”
Paris FC, owned by the Arnault family and Red Bull, and still building its squad, displayed more defensive solidity than in their recent 3-0 league loss to Paris Saint-Germain. The team will face PSG again in the Women's League Cup semifinal on Saturday, and in the league on Sunday. They remain contenders for second place in Première Ligue, despite recent home defeats to FC Nantes and FC Fleury 91.
