We need to talk about Natalia Mauleón's display vs Atlas | OneFootball

There are performances that deserve applause, and others for which even a standing ovation falls short. That was the level of the symphony Natalia Mauleón conducted on the field at Estadio Jalisco, leading and executing the red-and-white attack in the 0-4 win over Atlas in the Clásico Tapatío.

Wearing No. 14, the Michoacán native hit the ground running in the fold as a signing for this Apertura 2026. Mauleón had already shown glimpses of her quality in her first appearances, but what she did last night was simply extraordinary.

Starting as an attacking midfielder, she supported Alicia Cervantes and Denise Castro in the Rebaño’s attack, with width provided by Joseline Montoya and Jasmine Casarez down the flanks. From that advanced midfield role, thanks to the peripheral vision with which she reads moments, spaces, and movements, ‘Mau’ became the undisputed focal point of the match, as every Guadalajara goal went through her feet.

On the first goal, she orchestrated the high press by staying close to the ball at all times so that, after Eva González won it back, a quick touch on the reception opened the inside lane for ‘Jas’ to burst through and finish for the goal.

The second goal was just as brilliant: it was Natalia herself who once again started the press, winning the ball in the final third and creating a textbook 3-on-2 at the edge of the box. Patiently, she waited for Denise to drift wide before slipping the ball to her at the perfect moment, leaving her to bury it first time.

Of course, she also had to be involved in the third goal. Following the play all the way, she timed her run to attack the space behind the back line from deep after ‘Licha’’s layoff left her alone in front of goal, only for the goalkeeper and defender to bring her down. A penalty that the ‘Predator’ converted—an assist that, unfortunately for everyone, will not count in the stats, but will remain in the memory.

To complete her hat-trick of assists, she had to do it again. High press, turnover, and a precise pass to Cervantes, who is a guaranteed scorer in 1-on-1 situations.

Beyond the red-and-white rout, the ground she covered, her ball control, her command of the tempo, and her handling of the press clearly make Natalia Mauleón the best player of the Clásico Tapatío, as she continues to grow in this new chapter with Chivas Femenil.

Natalia Mauleón’s numbers in the Clásico Tapatío

- 86 minutes played- 3 assists- 2 shots- 31 accurate passes- 54 touches- 7 defensive duels won

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