We need to talk about what Natalia Mauleón did against Atlas | OneFootball

Some performances deserve applause, while others make even the loudest ovation feel insufficient. That was the level of the symphony Natalia Mauleón conducted on the Estadio Jalisco pitch, serving as both the orchestrator and executor of the Rojiblanco attack in the 0-4 win over Atlas in the Clásico Tapatío.

Wearing No. 14, the Michoacan native made an immediate impact at the club after joining as a reinforcement ahead of this Apertura 2026. Mauleón showed glimpses of her quality from her first appearances, but what she did last night was simply extraordinary.

Starting as an attacking midfielder, she played behind Alicia Cervantes and Denise Castro in El Rebaño’s attack, with Joseline Montoya and Jasmine Casarez providing width on the wings. From that offensive midfield position, thanks to the peripheral vision with which she identifies moments, spaces and movements, ‘Mau’ completely took over the spotlight, as every Guadalajara goal went through her feet.

On the first goal, she orchestrated the attacking press by staying close to the ball at all times so that, after Eva González won possession, a quick touch on the reception opened the inside lane for ‘Jas’ to make her run, eventually finishing off the goal.

The second goal was just as impressive: Natalia once again initiated the press, winning the ball in the final third and creating a textbook 3-v-2 situation at the edge of the box. Patiently, she waited for Denise to move outside before delivering the ball at exactly the right moment, allowing her to finish first time.

Of course, she also had to be involved in the third goal. Following the play throughout, she timed her run to attack the space behind the defense from the second line after ‘Licha’ laid the ball off to her, leaving her alone in front of goal, where a subtle touch caused the goalkeeper and defender to bring her down. The ‘Depredadora’ converted the penalty, in what was an assist that, unfortunately for everyone, will not count in the statistics, but will remain in the memory.

To complete her hat-trick of assists, she had to repeat the formula. High press, ball recovery and a precise pass to Cervantes, who is a guarantee of a goal in one-on-one situations.

Beyond the Rojiblancas’ emphatic victory, the ground she covered, her handling of the ball, the tempo and the press give Natalia Mauleón, by a wide margin, the status of 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