Fiamma saves Atlético de Madrid at Riazor
The red and white side defeated Deportivo Abanca 2-1 at the Riazor stadium. A goal from Gio Garbelini put Atlético ahead, but Esperanza Pizarro scored the equaliser in the second half. Fiamma Benítez broke the deadlock, earning her the MVP of the match award, and secured the three points for the Madrid side.
03 OCT 2026
Right before the teams took to the pitch, a Pandereteiras performance took place. In addition, Deportivo players Ainoa Gómez and Marisa García were honoured as Under-20 World Champions. There was also a special mention for Atlético players Natalia Peñalvo and Celia Segura. Indeed, the forward on loan from FC Barcelona had the first chance of the match with a shot that went wide. The visitors tried to take control of the game in attack, whilst Lucía Pardo threatened the Atlético penalty area. Celia Segura tried her luck again with a high shot, and Michi Apóstol tested Lola Gallardo with a powerful strike that the goalkeeper safely gathered to clear the danger.
However, the bulk of the chances continued to fall to the Madrid-based side. Jensen used her pace to get past Merle Barth and fired an effort wide. The Deportivo captain wore a solidarity armband to raise awareness for mental health. On the half-hour mark, Rosa Otermín tried her luck with a shot that Inês Pereira tipped just wide with her fingertips to concede a corner. Natalia Peñalvo then tested the keeper from mid-range. The visitors' persistence paid off shortly before the break. Natalia Peñalvo was sharpest to take a quick free-kick, and Rosa Otermín delivered a cross to the back post that Gio Garbelini turned straight into the back of the net to make it 0-1 on the scoreboard.
The final chance of the first half fell to the hosts. Lola Gallardo pulled off a magnificent save to deny Millene Cabral's header. After the restart, Ainoa Gómez, making her debut for Deportivo, came on. In the second half, Fiamma Benítez tried her luck with a fierce shot that flew high. The player from Denia also had a chance for the second with a strike from inside the area that Inês Pereira kept out with her face. Atlético poured forward in attack, and Gio Garbelini came close to scoring with a shot that drifted just past the top corner. Paula Hernández and Esperanza Pizarro were soon introduced for the home side, whilst Maite Zubieta and Allegra Poljak did the same for the visitors.
Deportivo Abanca began to gain ground, and Lucía Pardo nearly got on the end of a deflected shot from Olaya Rodríguez. In the 70th minute, a fine cross from Vega Montesinos was headed home by Esperanza Pizarro, placing the ball across the goal into the far corner and making it impossible for Lola Gallardo to reach. The Uruguayan's strike sparked wild celebrations on the Deportivo bench. Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid had twenty minutes left to find a second. And just when it seemed the match would end in a draw, Alexia Fernández played a through ball to Fiamma Benítez, who rounded the home goalkeeper to secure a 1-2 victory. In the closing stages, the hosts pushed for an equaliser, but were unable to level the score once more.