This Saturday, Atlético de Madrid certified third position in the F League 2023/24 after beating Villarreal CF 1-0. This victory, in addition to securing a place in the next Women’s Champions Leaguehas meant at the same time the demotion of the ‘Yellow Submarine’ to the 1st Federation and the salvation of Granada CF.
The final day had its main focus at the Wanda Alcalá de Henares Sports Center, where Atlético de Madrid won by the minimum thanks to a goal from the forward Rasheedat Ajibade in the second half of the game. This result, added to the triumphs of Levante UD and Real Betis, has closed the classification for the next edition of the Women’s Champions League.
Ajibade’s decisive goal for Atlético
Despite the efforts of the local players, the 0-0 remained until half-time, although that was worth it for Atlético as long as Levante UD did not beat Madrid CFF at home either. But as soon as the second half began, the Brazilian forward Gabi Nunes He put the ‘granota’ team ahead thanks to a glancing header coming off a corner.
This bad news momentarily relegated Atlético to fourth place in the league and with the scare in the body due to a clear chance in the 56th minute of Fatou Kantehwho sent her strong right hand over the crossbar after a counterattack guided by the Jamaican Kayla McKenna.
To make matters worse, Levante UD scored 2-0 in their match (min.62) thanks to Alba Redondo with a right hand near the rival goal, taking advantage of the rebound of the ball on the back of a Madrid CFF defender after a shot from her teammate Paula Fernandez from outside the area.
Comeback and qualification for the Champions League
Shortly after, in Alcalá de Henares, the goalkeeper Elena de Toro He failed in a clearance but immediately saved Villarreal from conceding a goal, with a mid-height stretch to repel a long shot from Rasheedat Ajibade. However, the Nigerian attacker redeemed herself in the 75th minute by scoring 1-0.
When the mood among the Colchonera fans was increasingly low, including injury to their banner Carmen Menayothe Norwegian midfielder Vilde Boe Risa he sent a foul directly to the heart of the Villarreal area; The ‘Submarino’ defense got stuck trying to clear the ball and Ajibade She appeared quickly from behind to push the ball into the back of the net.
From distance, Atlético maintained its advantage and also came close to 2-0 several times in separate scoring opportunities. Gaby Garciaof Sheila Guijarroof Leicy Santos and of Ajibadethis in an attack poorly managed by her despite a nice previous assistance from Lucia Moral.
Celebration at the red and white stadium
However, and although the added time seemed eternal, the red-and-white stadium finally celebrated their team’s victory and, with it, the qualification for next year’s Champions League. In addition, this Saturday also saw Real Betis’ 1-0 victory against Costa Adeje Tenerife and the draw between Real Sociedad and Levante Las Planas (2-2), results without consequences for the league table.
This victory gave a good farewell to Alba Redondo, which in the final stretch of the match was replaced with tears in her eyes. The Spanish forward, a reference for the senior team during its conquests of the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Nations League, aims to sign this summer for Real Madrid, runners-up in the F League.
