On May 31, 2026, Real Madrid Femenino closed their 2025-26 Liga F season with a 2-0 victory over Granada at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano. This was an afternoon that combined celebration, emotion, and farewell. Goals from Athenea del Castillo and Caroline Weir in the second half ensured Madrid’s side ended the season on a winning note in front of their home supporters.
Real Madrid dominated possession from the opening whistle and created the first clear opportunity in the 10th minute when Linda Caicedo found space inside the penalty area, only to see her effort saved by Granada goalkeeper Chika Hirao. Granada remained compact and disciplined defensively, forcing Madrid to search for openings from distance.
Athenea tested Hirao again in the 20th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box, but the goalkeeper produced another excellent save to keep the score level. Despite Madrid’s superiority, Granada’s resistance ensured the teams went into the break locked at 0-0.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Madrid controlling the game and pushing for the opener. Athenea came agonizingly close in the 56th minute when her effort crashed against the crossbar. The breakthrough finally arrived eight minutes later.
Athenea received the ball outside the area and unleashed a low strike that bounced awkwardly in front of Hirao, deceiving the goalkeeper and finding the net. After being Madrid’s most threatening player throughout the afternoon, the Spanish international finally got the goal her performance deserved.
Madrid continued to attack after taking the lead and quickly doubled their advantage. In the 68th minute, Caroline Weir collected possession on the edge of the area and fired a precise effort toward the goal. The shot took a slight deflection off a Granada defender before beating Hirao and settling into the corner. It was a fitting moment for the club’s all-time leading scorer, who marked her final appearance for Real Madrid with another goal.
The hosts comfortably managed the remainder of the match, maintaining control and denying Granada any route back into the contest. The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory and brought the curtain down on another successful league campaign in which Madrid finished runners-up.
While the victory was important, much of the afternoon’s emotion centred on a series of departures that marked the end of an era for Real Madrid Femenino.
The club and supporters paid tribute to several players making their final appearances in white: Misa Rodríguez, Caroline Weir, Rocío Gálvez, Naomie Feller, and Teresa Abelleira. Additional reports also indicated that Antonia Silva was among those bidding farewell at the end of the season. The loudest ovations were reserved for Misa and Weir, two of the most influential figures in the club’s short but significant history. Weir’s goal on her farewell appearance added another memorable chapter to an already remarkable Real Madrid Femenino career.
Real Madrid delivered both a victory and an emotional send-off. Athenea’s breakthrough and Weir’s farewell goal secured three points, but the lasting images from the Alfredo Di Stéfano were the tears, applause, and tributes paid to a group of players who helped shape the club’s rise in Spanish women’s football.
As a passionate advocate for women in sport and a rising voice in sports media and content creation, Kirah Doyle has built her career around telling the stories that bring sporting communities to life. From her beginnings as a multi-sport athlete in Australia to her work with professional sporting organizations, her journey reflects both the growing opportunities for women in sport and the power of storytelling to connect athletes, clubs, and fans.
My name is Kirah Doyle, and I am from Canberra, Australia. Sport has always been a huge part of my life and my identity. Growing up, I was constantly involved in different sports, including netball, field hockey, touch rugby, softball, dance, and rugby union. Rugby, in particular, was the centre of my world. My dad played and coached throughout my childhood, which meant weekends were spent on sidelines, at training sessions, or watching games. Those experiences gave me an appreciation not only for what happens on the field, but also for the people, planning, and work behind the scenes that make sports possible.
As I got older, I became fascinated by the stories that sport creates and the way clubs connect with their communities. While I originally began studying Communication and Media with a major in Sports Media, my academic path took a different direction; however, my passion for sport and storytelling never disappeared. If anything, it continued to grow through the experiences I sought out beyond the classroom.
A trip to the United States in 2019 introduced me to ice hockey for the first time and completely changed my perspective on sport. I was immediately drawn to the speed, atmosphere, and culture surrounding the game. When I returned home and discovered there was a national league in Australia and a team in Canberra, I became a supporter of the Canberra Brave. Watching the club grow, particularly as one of the first teams in the league to transition into a true arena environment, sparked a curiosity about how sporting organizations operate and engage their fans.
That curiosity eventually led me to my current role as a Digital Media and Content Creation Intern with the Canberra Brave. Through this experience, I contributed to content creation, social media strategy, and fan engagement and gained valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of a sporting organization. One of the things I am most proud of has been contributing during a period of exciting growth for both the club and the sport in Australia, helping showcase the stories and moments that continue to attract new audiences to ice hockey.
Alongside my work with the Brave, I have also had opportunities to create content for local rugby union clubs and the ACT Brumbies. Working with the Brumbies was particularly special, as they were one of the teams I grew up watching while following rugby with my family. Being able to contribute creatively to an organization that played such a significant role in my sporting upbringing felt like a true full-circle moment.
For me, sport has always been about more than results and competition. It creates connections, builds communities, and brings people together in ways few other things can. Whether through playing, supporting, or creating content, sport has shaped who I am, and I feel incredibly fortunate to contribute to an industry that has given me so much.
Real Madrid’s final match of the 2025-26 season was about more than three points. It was a celebration of the players who have helped build the club’s identity and contributed to the continued growth of women’s football in Spain. As supporters said goodbye to several influential figures, the afternoon served as a reminder of how far the women’s game has come and the people who have helped drive that progress both on and off the pitch.
Stories like Kirah’s are what make women’s sport so powerful. Beyond the goals, results, and trophies are the athletes, clubs, and communities that continue to inspire future generations. As women’s football continues to grow around the world, moments such as Real Madrid Femenino’s emotional season finale highlight the importance of preserving and sharing these stories, ensuring that the achievements and legacies of those who shape the game receive the recognition they deserve.