Recap & Highlights: Las Blancas 3-0 FC Wacker Innsbruck

Real Madrid Femenino dominated FC Wacker Innsbruck 3-0 courtesy of goals from Rocio Galvez, Olga Carmona and Lorena Navarro. Las Blancas clinched a place in the Kaif Trophy final on Sunday with the win.

Real Madrid kicked off their second preseason friendly in as many days against FC Wacker Innsbruck. Las Blancas rotated heavily. The team rolled out a 4-2-3-1 and struggled to progress centrally but found great success down whichever wing Athenea del Castillo occupied.

Real Madrid had their first chance of the game less than two minutes after kickoff. Kenti Robles passed across the top of the 18-yard box. Lorena Navarro dummied the ball to Lucia Rodriguez, whose shot curled wide of the post.

In the 9th minute, Athenea flew past her defender and crossed to Lorena. Lorena was only about one yard from goal but she lifted her shot up and over the crossbar. Athenea was at it again five minutes later. She cut inside and drove into midfield. She played the ball to Lorena, who poked it wide to Lucia. Lucia found Athenea in the box but she couldn’t steer her shot on target.

Nahikari Garcia had a chance after Athenea found her on the top of the 18-yard box but the keeper was up to the task.

Lorena had another good opportunity from a corner kick. The ball fell to her feet. Lorena’s first shot was saved and her second was mis-hit.

Athenea cut in and fired from distance and the keeper made the save in the 38th minute. Long shots from Kaci and Claudia Zornoza followed but neither troubled the keeper.

With the introduction of Teresa and Maite Oroz at halftime, Las Blancas dominated the ball and pinned FC Wacker Innsbruck back in their own half.

Athenea continued to terrorize the Austrian club’s defense in the second half. She nutmegged a defender and ball-rolled past another before squaring to the onrushing substitute Teresa. She shanked her shot over the bar.

In the 52nd minute, Marta Corredera crossed to Rocio Galvez, who headed to Athenea. The winger couldn’t keep her shot down and fired over the goal.

The finishing woes continued as Maite Oroz passed it to Lorena, who just needed to put it on target to score but looped it over the crossbar.

Las Blancas dominated throughout the second half but struggled to finish their chances. In the 63rd minute. Teresa opened up the Austrian club’s defense with a flighted ball to substitute Olga Carmona. She cut inside and shot toward the near post but the keeper was able to catch the shot.

In the 84th minute, Real Madrid finally opened the scoring. Rocio rose above two defenders to meet the flighted corner kick service and headed it into the far corner of the goal. This goal was her second set piece goal in two preseason matches.

Maite Oroz found Olga in the box moments later. Olga was taken down and Las Blancas were awarded a penalty. Olga stepped to the spot and converted to double Real Madrid’s lead.

Lorena made it 3-0 in the final minute of regulation. The goalkeeper mishandled a Teresa shot and Lorena arrived quickly to nod it home.

Las Blancas will play in the final of the Kaif Trophy on Sunday, Aug. 8 at 11:30 a.m. EST. They will play FC Turbine Potsdam.