Naiara Sanmartín prevents Atlético de Madrid's win
Granada CF and Atlético de Madrid played out a 1-1 draw to kick off the ninth matchday. Rosa Otermín put the *rojiblanco* side ahead, but Naiara Sanmartín equalised in the final stages of the match. Fiamma Benítez was the MVP of the match, but she couldn't secure the win for the Madrid club.
31 OCT 2026
Before kick-off, the players from both sides observed a minute's silence following the tragic accident in Urda (Toledo). Atlético de Madrid dominated possession against a home side sitting deep, looking to pose a threat on the counter-attack. Celia Segura tested her luck for the visitors, with Raquel Gil responding with a shot comfortably gathered by Génesis Pérez. Fifteen minutes in, Laura Sánchez produced a flying save to tip away a direct free-kick from Maite Zubieta that was heading for the top corner. Luany also came close to breaking the deadlock, but her solo run drifted wide. Gio Garbelini tried her luck with an effort that missed the target, much to the relief of the *nazarí* side as they held on to their clean sheet.
Minutes later came one of the clearest chances of the first half. Teresa Mérida cleared a brilliant effort from Celia Segura off the goal line. David González's side kept pushing, and Rosa Otermín nearly picked out a teammate with a dangerous delivery. In the 35th minute, Laura Sánchez was called into action once more, tipping Fiamma's shot onto the post. The rebound fell to Celia Segura, but the winger was denied a goal by the crossbar. Before the break, Luany tried her luck again, but the Brazilian forward was thwarted by the opposition defence, who cut out the danger to prevent a goal. Despite the best efforts of both teams, it remained goalless at half-time.
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After the restart, Atlético de Madrid threatened through a powerful strike from Natalia Peñalvo that sailed over the bar. The opening goal of the match arrived in the 54th minute. Fiamma, who was named player of the match, slipped a pass behind the defence, and Rosa Otermín latched onto it to fire the ball into the far corner. A second goal looked certain for Luany, but the Brazilian just failed to reach the cross, and Laura Sánchez gathered the ball without trouble. The first substitutions were made around the half-hour mark of the second half, with Gabi Nunes and Jenni Hermoso entering the pitch. Fiamma came close with a long-range effort, while at the other end, Miku Kojima threatened with a shot that went straight into the hands of the Madrid goalkeeper.
The hosts continued to press, and Naiara Sanmartín looked for an equalizer with a shot into the side-netting. Bárbara López and Paula Perea were introduced for their first changes of the match for the Andalusian side, whilst Henrietta Csiszár and Xènia Pérez entered the fray for the visitors. Iris Ashley tried her luck with a strike from distance. The home side's persistence paid off with five minutes remaining. Iris Ashley won the ball down the wing and delivered a cross to the penalty spot, where Naiara Sanmartín fired it into the back of the net. 1-1 on the scoreboard and a bitter pill to swallow for Atlético de Madrid, who pushed hard to find a late winner in the closing stages, but Laura Sánchez stood firm to secure the draw.