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The Lionesses fall to narrow defeat in Madrid

The Lionesses fall to narrow defeat in Madrid

The Lionesses deserved more after a much improved second-half performance

Athletic Club Women were defeated 1-0 by Madrid CFF at Matapiñonera, with the only goal of the game coming in the 43rd minute.

Athletic were vastly improved in the second half, keeping Madrid mostly pegged back in their own half. In the 81st minute, Lucía García scored after being put through on goal, but her effort was ruled out thanks to a dubious offside call.

In the first half, both sides struggled to find a breakthrough. The only notable occasion, apart from the goal, was a Geyse shot which Athletic’s keeper Andrea de la Nava stopped with ease.

Valeria scored for Madrid in the 43rd minute, the home side catching Athletic as they tried to play out from the back.

Athletic came out guns blazing after the break. Centre-back Garazi had two glorious chances but couldn’t convert in the first minute of the second half. From this moment onwards, the Lionesses took control of the match. Monente also went close to equalising, shooting wide after a decent build-up move.

Lucía almost went through on goal, but a Madrid defender managed to get a foot in to stop her. María Díaz had a go after regaining possession, but her left-footed effort wasn’t good enough to beat Madrid’s keeper.

The biggest moment of the match came in the 81st minute. Lucía García beat the offside trap to get on the end of an Unzue past before finishing. Her goal was ruled out although she was clearly onside.

The Lionesses deserved more from what was a good second-half performance, but they come back to Bilbao empty-handed.