Champions League: Linda Caicedo the star as Madrid qualifies for the group stage

There’s no stopping Colombia star Linda Caicedo. A couple of months after starring at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, in which she won the award for Goal of the Tournament, she hacked off the club season in the best possible fashion by helping Real Madrid reach the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

With only the champions of Europe’s four strongest league directly earning a spot, Las Blancas, who finished second in Spain’s Liga F last season, were forced to navigate a qualifying round, in which they faced Norwegian runners-up Vålerenga over two legs. After a narrow victory in Spain last week, the Spaniards looked to have a fight on their hands to secure their place in the tournament proper but ultimately ran out convincing winners in Wednesday’s return leg.

Sandie Toletti, Naomie Feller, and Athenea del Castillo scored the goals as Madrid ran out 3-0 winners in Oslo, with Caicedo inadvertently teeing up the opener when a cross ricocheted off her and into the French midfielder’s path. The 18-year-old had a couple of dangerous moments but was unable to get on the scoresheet herself, as had also been the case in the first leg.

However, she will have plenty more opportunities to get off the mark in the Champions League, with Real Madrid progressing to the 16-team group stage, which will consist of four groups of four teams. Depending champions Barcelona, eight-time winners Lyon, and English Women’s Super League winners Chelsea.

The group stage, which will comprise

six matches for each team, will begin on 14-15 November and runs until 30-31 January. The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals, which will be played over two legs, like the semi-finals. The final is scheduled for 25 May at San Mamés in Bilbao.