Laia López Shines on Madrid Champions League Debut

Laia López made her first Champions League appearance for Real Madrid on Tuesday, keeping a clean sheet in a group-stage match against Paris FC.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper stepped into the starting lineup for the fourth matchday of the Champions League group stage, MARCA reported. López previously served as an unused substitute across multiple European fixtures before earning her first minutes in the competition.

During the match against Paris FC, López turned away two shots to secure the clean sheet. Her decisive moment arrived in the final minute of regular time, when she stopped a breakaway attempt by Paris FC forward Sangare in a one-on-one situation, according to MARCA.

MARCA reported that the young goalkeeper spent eight matches on the bench this season while sitting behind Merle Frohms and Misa Rodríguez in the rotation.

The departure of Rodríguez to Arsenal during the summer transfer window prompted Real Madrid to secure López’s future through 2030, handing her a full first-team contract. Her senior debut for the club took place on May 11, 2025, in a 1-0 victory against Costa Adeje Tenerife at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium, followed by a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad a week later.

For me, there is no better place to be than at the best club in the world, López said in an interview with MARCA. Playing is important, and I will fight for a position, of course, but you can also help the team from other roles and that is what is important.

MARCA reported that López recently won the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where tournament organizers awarded her the Golden Glove as the competition’s top goalkeeper.

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