Redondo and Weir Dazzle as Real Madrid Erupt for Six in Champions League Opener Against Roma

By the time the final whistle sounded beneath the bright Madrid lights, Real Madrid’s intent was unmistakable: European ambitions, unapologetically declared. Pau Quesada’s side delivered a performance of striking authority at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, overwhelming AS Roma 6-2 in the opening match of the new-look UEFA Women's Champions League League Phase—a night that demanded both precision and audacity, and found Real Madrid ready on both counts.

The margin of victory underscores both Real Madrid’s offensive firepower and their relentless home form, but the match’s narrative was shaped by an early seesaw of momentum—and the indelible imprints left by forward Alba Redondo and midfielder Caroline Weir, who combined for five of Los Blancas’ six goals.

Early Onslaught, Rapid Response

The curtain had barely lifted before Redondo, the summer’s headline signing, seized the stage. In just the sixth minute, she glided into space behind Roma’s high line, collecting a sharp through-ball from Sara Däbritz and slotting past Emma Lind to ignite the crowd. The opener showcased Madrid’s hallmark: rapid, precise interplay, and a willingness to press high and punish hesitation.

Roma’s response, however, was as swift as it was emphatic. Ten minutes later, Alayah Pilgrim’s deft wing play pried open Madrid’s defense. Her curling cross was met by Évelyne Viens, whose powerful header leveled the score—and briefly quieted the Di Stéfano.

But parity was fleeting. Caroline Weir, already dictating tempo from midfield, restored Madrid’s advantage in the 23rd minute. Pouncing on a loose clearance at the top of the box, Weir struck low through traffic, her shot skimming beyond Lind’s outstretched hand and into the far corner.

Momentum Swings and Turning Points

Roma, undeterred, continued to probe for openings. In the 35th minute, Emilie Haavi slipped through on a clever one-two with Giada Greggi, deftly lifting the ball over Misa Rodríguez to secure a deserved equalizer.

Yet, Real Madrid’s response to adversity has become a trademark under Quesada, and they found their breakthrough before the interval. Redondo, restless and ever-dangerous, latched onto another Däbritz pass to notch her second of the evening—this time with a thunderous finish from the edge of the area, sending Madrid to the break with a narrow 3-2 lead.

The second half saw Real Madrid assert total dominance. Maëlle Lakrar, rising above a crowded penalty area, headed home Teresa Abelleira’s corner in the 53rd minute, stretching the margin and sapping Roma’s resolve. With Roma chasing, spaces opened for Madrid’s attacking trident. Weir struck again at the hour mark, finishing off a sweeping move started by Linda Caicedo. Then, with Roma’s lines stretched, Eva Maria Navarro capped the onslaught with a finely angled finish in the 73rd minute, her strike sealing the 6-2 rout.

Context: Streaks, Standings, and a Statement

Real Madrid’s emphatic start was a continuation of their imperious home form—they remain unbeaten at the Di Stéfano this season, having dispatched Madrid CFF, Deportivo, Levante Badalona, and Eintracht Frankfurt by a combined score of 12-1 across competitions. The result vaults Quesada’s side to the top of their Champions League group, a critical advantage given the new league-format stakes: only the top four sides advance directly to the quarter-finals, with fifth through twelfth facing the playoff gauntlet.

For Roma, the defeat snapped a three-match winning streak and exposed defensive frailties that had been masked in recent Serie A and continental outings. Still, this is an AS Roma squad brimming with attacking potential—Viens and Haavi both found the net in Madrid, echoing their sparkling form in the Italian league. But against elite European opposition, lapses in transition proved costly.

Implications: The Road Ahead

With continental giants Paris FC, Wolfsburg, PSG, Arsenal, and Twente waiting in the wings, Real Madrid’s sparkling opener offers both confidence and caution. The fixture list will intensify; the margin for error will shrink. But on this evidence, Los Blancas are poised not simply to navigate the league phase, but to contend deep into spring—Redondo and Weir already look among the competition’s most dynamic duos.

For Roma, a recalibration is required. Their attacking fluency warrants respect, but manager Alessandro Spugna will demand a sturdier defensive structure before clashes with the likes of Wolfsburg and Arsenal loom. With the league phase’s round-robin format, redemption is still within reach—but there is little room for hesitancy.

Tonight, Madrid announced themselves. The journey is long, but the message is clear: at the Di Stéfano, European dreams remain very much alive.