Atletico Madrid kick off LaLiga Women campaign with emphatic win

More than 1,800 fans turned out at the Linkoping Arena to take in the meeting between the home team, Linkopings Fotboll Club, and Atletico Madrid Women. What was a highly special occasion – the Rojiblancas' debut in the LaLiga Women programme – proved a roaring success, with the visitors serving up a real masterclass.

The team coached by Angel Villacampa, aka Villa, were at the very top of their game and ran out 9-1 winners. Sonia Bermudez broke the deadlock after just a quarter of an hour and the goals kept flowing from there, including three more for Bermudez.

Laura Fernandez was another of the star performers. The Valladolid-born hotshot, who has recently been promoted from the second string, made a real impression on her first-team debut at the Linkoping Arena. Fernandez only entered the fray in the second period and yet still managed to claim a hat-trick, with an own goal and an Amanda Sampedro strike completing the Atletico rout.

At the final whistle, Bermudez – whose stellar showing saw her scoop the Woman of the Match accolade – commented that, "The atmosphere was incredible and we felt really good." Meanwhile, Villacampa reflected on his side's impressive display by remarking that, "That was the performance of a great team we saw out there."

Atletico Madrid Women will be looking to carry on in the same vein in the second game of their Swedish tour on Wednesday, when they pit their wits against Eskilstuna United DFF.