Ane Azkona seals the TOP-8 for Athletic Club
Athletic Club secured a 0-2 victory over DUX Logroño at Las Gaunas, thanks to goals from Ane Azkona, who was named MVP of the match, and Maddi Torre. With this result, the Bilbao side confirms its place in the top eight, ensuring they will bypass a round of the Copa de la Reina next season.
26 MAY 2026
Before kick-off, DUX Logroño held a well-deserved tribute for Lorena Valderas, the eternal captain of the Riojan side, who will leave the club at the end of the current season. The first chance of the match fell to Athletic Club, with a strike from Clara Pinedo that Miralles gathered with little trouble. Thirteen minutes in, an error by Lorena Valderas was capitalised on by Ane Azkona, who pressed well to beat María Miralles, who could do nothing to prevent the goal. The forward was named MVP of the match. The response came from Flavine Mawete, who tried her luck with a powerful shot from inside the box, but Adriana Nanclares was rock solid between the sticks, making a wonderful save to deflect the ball for a corner. The goalkeeper also claimed a dangerous cross into the box aimed at Mawete, who was unable to connect with the ball at the back post.
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The hosts pushed forward, but without any luck in front of the opposition goal. In the final minutes of the first half, DUX Logroño went in search of an equaliser but could not get past a very secure Nanclares. After the break, Leire Baños came on for the Basque side to bolster the midfield. Just as the second forty-five minutes got underway, the Riojan side had a chance to level the match. A free-kick delivery from Isina was met by Marta Masferrer inside the box, but the centre-back's shot was comfortably held by Adriana Nanclares. Barely a minute later, Athletic Club doubled their lead. A cross from Clara Pinedo was collected by Irene Oguiza, who sent the ball back into the box for Maddi Torre to fire into the back of the net and beat the home goalkeeper.
Both teams made changes. Daniela Agote and Jone Amezaga came on for the visitors, while Lorena Valderas received an ovation from her home crowd. Javier Lerga’s side, holding the lead, pressed high to continue creating dangerous chances, while DUX Logroño looked to threaten from set-pieces, though without success. The Riojan side also looked to find Welma Fon up top. However, the clearest chance once again came at the other end. A long ball over the top of the defence found Jone Amezaga, who found herself one-on-one inside the box, but her shot crashed directly against the woodwork, denying the 'leona' a goal. In stoppage time, Salomé Prat had a chance to score, but ultimately, Athletic Club secured the victory to confirm their place in the Top 8 and earn a bye in the next Copa de la Reina campaign.