It took way too long, but the first women's Madrid Derby between Real and Atlético was played on Saturday. The experience and quality of Las Colchoneras proved vital as Atleti claimed a 1-0 victory in the Primera División match.
Atlético Madrid Femenino has been one of the best teams in Spain (and indeed Europe) for a while now. They won three-straight league titles before finishing second to Barcelona last season, albeit in a campaign shortened by Covid-19.
Real Madrid Femenino, meanwhile, is technically in its first year of existence. The team competed as CD TACÓN last season and finished 10th. This is the first season the club is competing officially with the Real Madrid crest and uniforms.
In the first league match between the crosstown rivals, it didn’t take long for Atleti to assert its dominance. Defender Merel van Dongen turned in a corner kick in the fifth minute.
Real Madrid, which has done well to build itself into a competitive side this season, tested keeper Pauline Peyraud Magnin on occasion and had a penalty shout ignored, but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Atlético’s Leicy Santos had a goal-line clearance in stoppage time to ensure her side took all three points.
First Women's Madrid Derby Highlights
Aunque rozamos el empate en el descuento, al final no pudo ser.
⚪ ¡El equipo ya piensa en el partido del próximo martes donde visitaremos al Sporting Club de Huelva!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/SX0uubgWvm— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadridfem) December 19, 2020
Despite the defeat, Real Madrid remained in third place with 25 points, one point ahead of fourth-place Atleti. Barcelona leads the league with 27 points and three matches in hand; second-place Granadilla Tenerife is also on 27 points (with no games in hand).
El derbi es rojiblanco❗️❕❗️
— At. Madrid Femenino (@AtletiFemenino) December 19, 2020