Athletic Club Women 3-2 Atlético de Madrid Women: Las Leonas Hold Firm in Liga F Thriller

Athletic Club Women claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atlético de Madrid Women in the Spanish Primera División de la Liga de Fútbol Femenino (Liga F) on Sunday, 27 September 2026. Played at Athletic’s Lezama training complex, the match delivered five goals, a flurry of tactical shifts and a tense closing spell that ended with the home side protecting a one-goal lead. The result gives Athletic a valuable early-season boost in the Liga F standings, while Atlético are left to rue a slow start that ultimately cost them a share of the points.

Match Overview

The game kicked off at 18:00 under clear late-September skies, and Athletic wasted little time in imposing their rhythm. Las Leonas pressed high, forced turnovers in midfield and looked to attack the flanks at every opportunity. Atlético de Madrid, typically organised and dangerous on the counter, struggled to keep possession during the opening half-hour and conceded twice before finding a response just before the break. The second half was a different story: Atlético pushed higher, increased the intensity of their duels and pulled a goal back late, but Athletic’s defensive resilience and game management saw them over the line.

Key Moments and Goals

• 12′ — Ane Azkona (Athletic Club Women): A sharp near-post finish after a driving run down the left opened the scoring and set the tone for the home side’s aggressive start.
• 34′ — Jone Amezaga (Athletic Club Women): A well-worked move through midfield ended with Amezaga curling a low effort beyond the reach of the Atlético goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
• 45+2′ — Sheila Guijarro (Atlético de Madrid Women): A crucial lifeline before half-time. Guijarro reacted quickest inside the box after a goalmouth scramble and stabbed the ball home to reduce the deficit.
• 67′ — Nahikari García (Athletic Club Women): Restored Athletic’s two-goal cushion with a composed finish following a swift counter-attack, punishing Atlético for committing bodies forward.
• 78′ — Ajara Nchout (Atlético de Madrid Women): A powerful header from a deep cross gave the visitors late hope and ensured a nervy final ten minutes plus stoppage time.

Tactical Story

Athletic’s approach was built on intensity without the ball. Their midfield pressed Atlético’s deep-lying playmakers relentlessly, and the front line worked hard to cut off passing lanes into the wide areas. That pressure produced the first two goals and forced Atlético into a series of hurried clearances. The home side’s shape shifted slightly after the second goal, dropping a little deeper to protect the lead, which invited Atlético forward and allowed Guijarro to strike before the interval.

In the second half, Atlético adjusted by pushing their full-backs higher and playing more directly into the channels. The change created chances, but it also left space behind for Athletic’s quick forwards. Nahikari’s goal on 67 minutes was the perfect example: a turnover in midfield, a direct pass and a clinical finish. Atlético’s late goal from Nchout made the final minutes tense, but Athletic defended their box with discipline, clearing several dangerous crosses and slowing the tempo whenever possible.

Standout Players

Ane Azkona was a constant threat on the left, combining direct running with intelligent link-up play. Jone Amezaga provided energy and end product in equal measure, while Nahikari García showed why she remains one of the most reliable finishers in the squad. For Atlético, Sheila Guijarro was the spark throughout, holding the ball up well and scoring the goal that dragged her team back into contention. Ajara Nchout also made a significant impact from the bench, adding physicality and a late aerial threat that nearly salvaged a point.

Liga F Standings and Season Impact

This win lifts Athletic Club Women into a more comfortable position in the early Liga F table and reinforces their ambitions of challenging for European qualification. For Atlético de Madrid Women, the defeat is a setback in the race for the top positions, though the performance in the second half offered encouragement. Both sides will now turn their attention to the next round of fixtures, with Athletic looking to build momentum and Atlético aiming to tighten up defensively after conceding three times at Lezama. In a league where margins are often decided by fine details, this five-goal contest was a reminder of the attacking quality and competitive depth in Spanish women’s football.