Super Falcons stand-in captain, Raheedat Ajibade, had a night of near misses as her Atlético Madrid side were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Copa de la Reina semi-final.
In a thrilling first leg of the 2023-24 Spanish Copa de la Reina semifinals, Super Falcons stand-in captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, led Atlético Madrid in a nail-biting encounter against Real Sociedad. The match, held in Alcalá de Henares, ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving the semifinal wide open for the second leg in San Sebastián.
The game started with both teams showing great intensity, with chances coming mainly from set pieces. Despite Atlético’s pressure and attempts generated from corner kicks, Real Sociedad managed to weather the storm with a composed defensive display. However, in the 31st minute, Ajibade earned a crucial free kick for Atlético on the left wing, showcasing her influence on the field.
In the 36th minute, Ajibade’s dynamic play drew a foul in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty for Atlético Madrid. Despite the opportunity, the penalty was saved, denying Atlético the chance to take the lead. Throughout the first half, Ajibade remained instrumental, winning another free kick in the defensive half in the 43rd minute.
After halftime, both teams continued to push for a breakthrough, but it was Real Sociedad who took the lead against the run of play through Amaiur in the 60th minute.
Ajibade’s involvement remained pivotal, with her passes and shots creating opportunities for Atlético. However she was substituted in the 63rd minute, with Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic taking her place on the field
Despite Athletico’s efforts, it was Gaby who eventually equalized for Atlético after regulation time, salvaging a draw for the team..
As the match entered added time, Atlético came close to securing a late winner, only to be denied by the woodwork once again. With the first leg ending in a draw, the stage is set for an exciting showdown in the second leg on Wednesday, March 13th in San Sebastián. As the tension builds, all eyes will be on Ajibade and her teammates as they aim to secure a spot in the Copa de la Reina final.
