Ane Azkona storms Palamós to stay in the TOP-8
Athletic Club defeated FC Badalona Women 0-1 with a solitary goal from Ane Azkona. The MVP of the match was goalkeeper Carla Abdón, who made seven saves but could not prevent her team's defeat. Las bilbaínas remain in 8th position in Liga F Moeve with 38 points to their name.
02 MAY 2026
Both teams took to the pitch at the Palamós stadium with the intention of securing all three points. The first chance of the match came from a long ball into the path of Ane Azkona. The forward capitalised on an error by Carla Abdón to race through on goal, but the goalkeeper, who was named MVP of the match after making seven saves, reacted in time to prevent the goal. The forward from Navarre appealed for a penalty, which the referee did not award. Javier Lerga’s side were hunting for the opener, and Naia Landaluze came close following a free kick, but the Athletic Club centre-back could not find the target and sent the ball over the crossbar. Irene Oguiza also tried her luck with a shot that went wide, while at the other end, Paula Sánchez went close with an effort that drifted off target. The clearest chance arrived on the half-hour mark, when Ane Elexpuru unleashed a shot that Cristina Cubedo cleared off the goal line.
The visiting players claimed the ball had crossed the line, but following a VAR review, the referee ruled that the FC Badalona Women centre-back had made a providential clearance. However, the pressure finally told in the 35th minute when Maitane Vilariño connected with Ane Azkona inside the box. This time, the Navarrese forward got the better of Carla Abdón to fire the ball into the back of the net and open the scoring in Palamós. Javier Lerga’s team continued to press until the end of the first half, but were unable to add further goals. After the break, Sarah Jankovska replaced Lorena Navarro to bolster the Catalan side's midfield as they went in search of an equaliser. Banini was the player who created the most danger, though she lacked composure. The Argentine midfielder tried her luck with a long-range effort that went well wide.
Half an hour into the second half, Maite Valero and Jone Amezaga came on for the visitors to provide fresh legs in midfield and attack. The forward was involved in an action where Ane Elexpuru hit the post. The rebound fell to the Bizkaia-born striker, who appealed for a penalty that the referee did not grant. Sara Ortega also sent a delivery into the box that failed to find a teammate at the back post. Marc Ballester brought on Loreta Kullashi in an attempt to find an equaliser. The best chance once again fell to Banini. The Argentine, who found herself one-on-one with Nanclares, could have scored, but Naia Landaluze cleared the ball off the line to preserve her team's victory. FC Badalona Women academy product Martina Rojo made her debut this season in Liga F Moeve, but the hosts were unable to level the match. Athletic Club remain in 8th place with 38 points, rounding off the top eight.