Athletic lost 1-4 at San Mamés in a match that remained open until the 83rd minute thanks to a Nevado goal and three shots that hit the woodwork
Athletic Club fell to a 1-4 defeat against Real Madrid at San Mamés on Sunday evening. Javi Lerga's side held their own for large periods and were within touching distance of levelling the scores thanks to Nerea Nevado free-kick.
Added to that Athletic hit the woodwork three times. The final nail in the coffin came in the 83rd minute, when Caroline Weir scored her second goal.
The final scoreline was not a true reflection of the match.
With almost 10,000 spectators at The Cathedral and a heartfelt tribute to Peke before kick-off, the match became an uphill struggle for the Lionesses early on.
Real Madrid were 0-2 ahead by the 18th minute. First it was Weir, showing all her quality, and then a stroke of luck in the form of an Ane Campos own goal from a corner.
Athletic seemed knocked out, but, as sometimes happens, they went on the attack without any inhibitions.
They had two clear chances, with a left-footed shot from Nevado that Frohms saved with her foot and a header from Azkona that hit the post.
Nanclares repeated her great save with her foot to thwart a powerful Feller shot. Javi Lerga's side then hit the post again with a point-blank Valero effort.
There was still the second half to try to get back into the game. Nevado threatened just after the restart and, after a great Nanclares save to deny Weir, Nevado scored in the 71st minute.
The Lionesses, with Agote coming on to stir things up, believed they could do it, and Amezaga had a decent chance.
But Weir appeared again and ended the discussion. Seconds after another shot from Agote hit the post, Ashley made it 1-4.
