Crystal Palace Women lost 2-0 to Spanish giants Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly in Marbella.
Crystal Palace Women lost 2-0 to Spanish giants Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly in Marbella.
Palace Women took the field in what was a landmark fixture against Liga F giants Real Madrid in sun-drenched Marbella.
This was only the second time the two teams, men's or women's, had ever met - the first being in 1962.
The Eagles had their chances in the opening 25 minutes, with Ashleigh Weerden and Kirsty Howat going close in the opening exchanges.
Las Blancas had the better share of chances though, with record signing Felicia Schröder testing Shae Yañez on a few occasions.
Palace were lucky to not go behind on 25 minutes after the bar was struck from close-range, but the Palace stopper was on the scene to gather gratefully.
The woodwork was not to deny Las Blancas a second time though, as Lotte Keukelaar put her side ahead on 32 minutes.
The Netherlands forward fired a low shot which Yañez could tip on to the post, but not prevent from crossing the line.
Nine minutes later and the crossbar denied another goal - this time from the boot of Bethany England.
A lofted ball from Sierra Enge was controlled sublimely by the Palace no.9, and her volley dipped onto the crossbar and away from danger.
Real Madrid went into the break 1-0 up, and Potter rang the changes during half-time.
New signings Lexi Lloyd-Smith, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Shannon O'Brien, and Teyah Goldie were amongst those introduced as Potter refreshed her line-up for the second-half.
The Eagles had the best chance in the early stages of the second 45, with a wonderful flowing move almost leading to an equaliser.
Exquisite combination play on the 57th minute from Larkin, O'Brien and England almost lead to a goal, but Merle Frohms was equal to England's low effort.
It was the Spanish team that scored next though, as a bundle in the box led to O'Brien scoring an own goal.
The intensity dropped as the sun went down, with both teams nullifying each other in the closing stages.
It ended 2-0 in Marbella as Palace went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in Europe.
Potter's side will now conclude their pre-season campaign with a series of behind-closed-doors fixtures, before they make their long-awaited return to the Barclays Women's Super League on Sunday, 6th September against Everton.
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Palace: Yañez (GK) (Peyraud-Magnin, 46), Enge, Everett, Sharpe (Napier, 46), England, Howat (O'Brien,46), Weerden (Lloyd-Smith, 46), Nolan (Goldie, 46), Ladd (Hopcroft, 46), Blanchard (Larkin, 46), Swaby (Bartrip, 62)
