Rasheedat Ajibade gave her all as Atletico de Madrid Femenino suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat against Rosenborg in the first round of UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying.
Despite her 120 minutes of action, where she created three key goal-scoring chances, Ajibade couldn’t register a goal or even a shot on target, Footballrover reports.
The match ended 2-2 after normal time and extra time, but Atletico lost 3-2 in the penalty shootout.
The Game Atletico Madrid Should Have Won
Atletico Madrid dominated from start to finish. They had 23 goal attempts with eight shots on target, while their opponents, Rosenborg, managed just six attempts with three on target.
It felt like a game that Atletico should have won comfortably.
The home team took the lead early, thanks to Fiamma Iannuzzi’s strike in the 20th minute.
That goal separated the sides at halftime, but despite Atletico’s control, they couldn’t find a second goal to seal the victory.
In stoppage time, heartbreak struck. Rebecka Holum stunned the Atletico fans by scoring an equaliser, sending the match into extra time.
Late Drama in Extra Time
Fifteen minutes into extra time, Rosenborg took the lead for the first time with Andrine Tomter’s goal.
Yet, Ajibade and her teammates refused to give up. They continued to press and found a lifeline a minute before the final whistle when Lauren Leal scored the equaliser, setting up a dramatic penalty shootout.
Unfortunately, the shootout didn’t go their way. Rosa Otermin Abella, Tatiana Pinto, and Andrea Medina missed their spot-kicks, while only Beate Marcussen faltered for Rosenborg. Atletico lost 3-2 on penalties.
Five Key Moments from Rasheedat Ajibade’s Champions League Qualifier Performance
120 Minutes of Non-Stop Action
Ajibade’s endurance and commitment were on full display, as she battled for the full 120 minutes in Atletico Madrid’s clash with Rosenborg.
Creative Playmaker
Despite the defeat, Ajibade showed her brilliance as a playmaker, creating three solid goal-scoring chances that kept Atletico on the front foot.
No Shots on Target
Though she worked hard throughout the match, Ajibade couldn’t get a shot on target herself, a rare occurrence for the prolific forward.
Penalty Shootout Heartbreak
The match ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time, but the real heartbreak came in the penalty shootout, where Atletico fell 3-2 despite their efforts.
Champions League Dreams Still Alive
While defeat was a bitter blow to Atletico’s campaign, it doesn’t end their journey.
At least not yet!
Ajibade and her team will now face Rangers Women in a placement match on Saturday, with a chance to continue their fight for a spot in the Women’s Champions League group stages.
Despite the disappointment, Ajibade’s performance remains a highlight, and her determination will be key in the upcoming clash.
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