Report: Points and goals shared, but little gained | OneFootball

The Atlético de Madrid Women's team started the year 2026 with a crucial match against Real Sociedad, a direct rival for a Champions League spot. Winning was essential, but so was starting the match focused, which did not happen.

After a puzzling winter transfer window, with significant departures like Gaby and Ana Vitória, the match began with a glaring error. A cross that Lauren Leal, who was starting after being medically cleared, attempted to clear with her thigh, leaving the ball dead at the edge of the small area. Eguiguren didn't miss, scoring with a left-footed shot to make it 0-1. Everything became uphill in Alcalá right from the start.

The response was immediate, and before the quarter-hour mark, Jensen, with a brilliant individual play, struck a left-footed shot to equalize at one. A quick reaction from an Atlético de Madrid Women's team that didn't want to miss their chance against a direct rival. And there, the smartest player on the field is usually Luany. After several minutes of probing by both teams, a mistake by the txuri-urdin defense was seized by Luany, scoring from close range.

The problem, as always with this team. After a poor start and managing to recover, in just three minutes, Real Sociedad turned the score around again. Edna, first with a shot at the far post, unmarked, and then with an unstoppable header from a corner, made it 2-3. With a loss on the scoreboard, Atlético was trailing.

Another Comeback and Another Draw That Doesn't Count

Right at the start of the second half, from a set-piece corner, Julia Bartel scored to make it 3-3 with a great finish. Everything was back to square one with the entire second half ahead. Atlético Femenino wanted and needed to capitalize, as a win would close the gap with Real Sociedad.

And an hour into the game, the law of the ex was fulfilled. A cross from the left, poorly cleared by Ainhoa Moraza, a former Atlético player, fell to Amaiur, who didn't hesitate and made it 4-3. The Atlético attacker, who joined from the Basque team, did not celebrate. It was time to seal the deal, and Jensen appeared. With a great through pass from Amaiur, she slipped into the area and struck with her left to make it 5-3.

With a little less than half an hour remaining, everything seemed settled. But with nothing to lose and several glaring errors, all the work was undone. Emma capitalized on a major defensive error to make it 5-4. Canynová entered from the left, Luany failed to clear a loose ball, and with Lola Gallardo beaten, Emma didn't miss. All this happened just a minute after making it 5-3.

The joy didn't last, and Real Sociedad, just one goal behind, pressed for the equalizer. Ten minutes before the end, Arola entered effortlessly down the right wing, reached the area, and delivered a cross that Edna finished easily, alone after a terrible outing by Lola Gallardo.

A series of errors led to an unfair and equally deserved draw, with two comebacks that amounted to nothing. Thus, Atlético Femenino remains in fourth place, outside the Champions spots, and four points behind the third-placed team, Real Sociedad.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.