The first qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2024/25 kicked off this afternoon at Arsenal’s Meadow Park. The first fixture of the day saw Club Atlético de Madrid go head-to-head with Norwegian side Rosenborg BK Kvinner.

This tight game needed a victor, who will go on to face the winner of Arsenal vs Rangers this weekend, but 90 minutes were not enough to separate the two sides. Rosenborg took the lead thanks to a late Rebecka Wanvik Holum equaliser and an extra-time tap-in from Andrine Tomter, but Atlético Madrid fought back to take the game to penalties.

The shootout concluded with a delighted Rosenburg making their way to Saturday’s mini-tournament final and a deflated Atlético Madrid, as both teams had battled it out until the very end.

The Lineups

ATM: Gallardo; Vicente, Lauren, Perez Almiñana, Bøe Risa, Garcia, Ana Vitória, Ajibade, Queiroz, Medina, Fiamma

RBK: Rulyte, Sørum, Rogde, Nautnes, Brennskag-Dorsin, Harviken, Marcussen, Berre, Brønstad, Tomter, Magnúsdóttir

The Action

Unbeaten in their last seven matches, Atlético Madrid were confident approaching their Norwegian opposition. Meanwhile, having struggled to score in their last two games, Rosenborg looked ready to rise to the challenge presented by a Spanish side on the front foot.

Martin Alba’s Atlético Madrid played with a backline of three, and defenders Ainhoa Vincente, Lauren, and Xenia Perez Almiñana could be found constantly moving the ball toward and past the midfield area. Robin Shroot’s Rosenborg would pursue attacking endeavours of their own, but struggled to get past the communicative Liga F side’s defence.

Not long after the 15 minute mark, key player Rasheedat Ajibade would provide Atlético Madrid’s biggest chance thus far. Appearing lively on the right-hand side, the winger sent her strike toward the far post, but Rosenborg’s goalkeeper Rugile Rulyte would gather it with ease.

Fiamma came out of nowhere to give Atlético Madrid the lead in the 20th minute. The 20-year-old midfielder’s strong, direct header favourably fell on the right side of the far post, putting Alba’s side ahead.

Already a goal to the advantage, the Madrid side would come close to gaining a second when former Arsenal winger Giovana Queiroz found herself one-on-one with Rulyte. The Brazilian youngster took too many touches, however, and sent her shot wide.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Roseborg were quick on the counter, but Atlético Madrid’s stubbornness at the back would deny them the chance to make the most of any opportunity at the face of goal. Three minutes of added time were not enough for Alba’s side to find an equaliser.

Whilst she had a quiet first half, Atlético Madrid’s goalkeeper and captain Lola Gallardo could be heard directing her teammates from between the sticks. There was much for the Spanish club to be happy about heading into half time. Rosenborg, on the other hand, had work to do if they hoped to catch up to their dominant opposition.

It did not take long after the commencement of the second half for Atlético Madrid to threaten Rosenborg once again. Rasheedat Ajibade’s cross in to Queiroz would e tapped well, but Rulyte had already positioned herself in the right place at the right time to prevent the attempt from converting.

Once the second half was well underway, the Norwegian side, who currently sit third place in the Toppserien league table, would see their goalkeeper called into action again due to a close Atlético Madrid corner. Just moments later, a quick Queiroz would pose a threat inside the box again, but Rulyte would deny her once more before the former Arsenal player was substituted off.

The Norwegian side fought valiantly, but a close contest saw Atlético Madrid look ever-threatening with their fast breaks. Ajibade would come agonisingly close to sealing the deal, her second-half strike ricocheting off the post.

The second half saw Rosenborg desperate to make a comeback, while Atlético Madrid defended well. The Spanish team certainly could have added more goals to their tally, and they would regret their wasted chances when Rosenborg super-substitute Holum brought the trailing side an eventual equaliser in added time.

Holum’s headed effort following a short free kick surpassed Gallardo, and Shroot’s Rosenborg knew they had put themselves back into the game right at the death of it all.

After a twist at the end of the allocated 90 minutes, extra time would ensue. Atlético Madrid’s cohesiveness upfront continued to work in their favour, but Rosenborg had found their fight.

It was a moment of relief for Rosenborg when Rulyte made a crucial save early on in extra time, tipping Gabriela Garcia’s header narrowly over the crossbar to keep the scoreline level.

Rosenborg were soon awarded a free kick in a dangerous area, right on the edge of the box, following a challenge on Emilie Nautness. The loose ball would eventually find the back of the net thanks to Tomter’s tap in, putting Shroot’s newly-elated side ahead for the first time.

Rosenborg gave everything they had to hold onto this one-goal lead, but as time ticked down on an already exciting, competitive period of extra time, the score was suddenly level again after Lauren rapidly put one away for the Spanish side, who could take jubilation in knowing they were in it once again.

The whistle rang through Meadow Park, with a penalty shootout necessary to determine the afternoon’s winner, and decide who would progress further toward UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification.

Penalties

Rulyte would save the first kick from the spot for Atlético Madrid, whilst Elon Åhgren Sørum slotted hers away with ease.

Synne Jebsen would be the first to produce for Atlético Madrid in the shootout, and Gallardo was able to block Beate Marcussen’s effort to make it even once again.

Garcia and Hannah Dahl both scored for their respective sides, before Rulyte successfully denied Tatiana Pinto’s turn to make the difference.

Mathilde Harviken netted an all-important penalty home, while Medina’s would fail to produce the result, agonisingly for her Athlético Madrid side.

Rosenborg’s celebrations began, as they were sent flying through to the next round.

The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Rebecka Wanvik Holum

This dramatic qualification clash sees the Norwegian side progress, whilst Atlético Madrid bid an early farewell to their hopes of competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Rosenborg will face either Arsenal or Rangers back at Meadow Park this coming Saturday, with the fixture between those two teams kicking off later this evening (19:00 BST).