Report: Atlético snatch a point that could seal qualification | OneFootball

The Atlético de Madrid Femenino hosted Bayern Munich in a crucial match for the fate of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. A victory could mean qualification for Víctor Martín’s side, who in recent weeks have let slip six key points in the Liga F, which has pushed the rojiblancas out of the league’s qualification spots for the next edition of Europe’s top competition.

But this was a different competition, and the Atlético players knew it. Just ten minutes into the game, Alexia broke through on the right, reached the byline, and sent a cross into the heart of the box, but no one was there to finish. Luany tried to get a shot off and Viggósdóttir, attempting to clear, did so but with her hand. The referee went to the VAR monitor and confirmed the penalty in favor of Atlético de Madrid. From the spot, Vilde Bøe Risa didn’t miss and put the team ahead.

With this 1-0, Atlético de Madrid Femenino was temporarily beating Bayern Munich, and with these three points, they mathematically secured qualification for the play-offs before the quarterfinals. The match continued and the Bavarians increased their possession and threatened Lola Gallardo’s goal. Just before halftime, Damnjanović struck a falling ball from the edge of the box, but the crossbar denied the equalizer. Luck was smiling on Atlético and the match went to halftime with the rojiblancas in the lead.

Bavarian comeback, suffering, and an agonizing draw

And if the first half started with a handball penalty in favor of Atlético, the second half did so in reverse, in the same box, but with Atlético as the punished team. A cross from the left rebounded off Silvia Lloris’s stomach and then hit her hand. Surprisingly, the referee pointed to the spot, but Gwinn shrank under pressure and sent the penalty over the bar.

This did not deter Bayern Munich, who kept pressing Lola Gallardo’s goal, but Atlético de Madrid Femenino held firm. Bühl broke through on the left, sent a ball to the penalty spot, and Harder, on the turn and with a deflection, equalized the match in the luckiest play for the Germans. It was time to suffer and look for a goal in some action that would give them the three points and qualification to the next round.

Víctor Martín tried to give the team more solidity by bringing on Júlia and Jensen for Vilde and Amaiur. But it didn’t work, and Bühl, in a brilliant move down the left, sent a perfect ball to the edge of the six-yard box and Harder, with ease, finished and put the ball in the back of the net. The match became complicated, despite the effort, and qualification would now be decided in the final matchday…

And as the match entered its final stretch, Luany broke down the right, entered the box, and cut the ball back. Fiamma received it at the edge of the area, controlled it, and with her right foot, scored an absolute screamer to send Alcalá into a frenzy. A truly spectacular goal to rescue a point just before the final whistle. The Spain international, recently crowned UEFA Nations League champion, scored a stunner to secure a hugely valuable point.

With seven points, Atlético Femenino would be qualified for the play-off phase with one matchday remaining. The final match will be against Lyon next week, in an extremely tough clash. A win or a draw would secure qualification to the next round. A loss would mean Atlético would not depend on themselves, although they have an advantage: goal difference. Vålerenga, who could take their spot on the final matchday, face Bayern. The Norwegians have a goal difference of -2, while Atlético has a difference of +8. In other words, Atlético would have to lose and Vålerenga would have to win by a margin of 10 goals.

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