First ever defeat at St James’ Park – Newcastle United Women lose 2-0 to Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

Newcastle United Women have had a busy few weeks since they were last in action.

Having finished the 2024-25 campaign in fifth place, manager Becky Langley has been making some important changes to her squad.

Goalie and record appearance maker Grace Donnelly headed a list of 12 departures over the summer break. Long-serving trio Katie Barker, Georgia Gibson and Olivia Watt, who have made a combined 296 appearances, have also left.

While, midfielders Hannah Greenwood and Rachel Furness, along with forwards Amy Andrews, Sophie Haywood and Becky Ferguson have moved on too. As have defenders Daisy Burt and Jodie Bartle. Captain Amber-Keegan Stobbs has signed with local rivals Durham after the club opted to not take up an option in her contract.

Coming in has been Southampton duo Jemma Purfield who can play in central defence or at left back and Molly Pike who can fill a number of roles across the front line or in midfield. In defence, Aoife Mannion has arrived with WSL experience from Manchester United, with Polish International Małgorzata Grec coming in from Dijon. But perhaps the biggest signing so far has been that of former England international Jordan Nobbs, who will add some class to the midfield having spent the bulk of her career with Arsenal, during a trophy laden stint with the North London outfit.

The Lasses had played a couple of pre-season games behind closed doors, coming into the Sela Cup weekend. Claiming an impressive 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich and a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough. Despite Saturday’s game at St James’ Park being a sell-out, an estimated 8,000 fans made their way in for kick off to watch the Newcastle United Women taking on their Atletico Madrid counterparts, with many others either enjoying the sunny weather outside or waiting until closer to the 4pm kick off for the men’s game.

Match Report

Newcastle went with what was a 3-5-2 formation when in possession of the ball but was something more akin to a 4-3-3 without. New signing Molly Pike partnered Emily Murphy in attack while Aoife Mannion was part of a back three alongside Deanna Cooper and Charlotte Wardlaw. Jordan Nobbs sat in front of the defence with Elyssia Boddy and Jas McQuade just in front of her in midfield. While, Demi Stokes played in a much more advanced role down the left, with Beth Lumsden playing on the right.

Atletico Madrid Femenino were a different proposition to any team the Lasses have faced before. Having finished third in last season’s Liga F, they will be participating in the Champions League for 2025-26 and they showed why as they took control of the contest early on.

But it was Newcastle who created the first real chance after just four minutes. Molly Pike fired over the crossbar after having created some space just outside of the Atlético penalty area.

The visitors dominated possession throughout and created several chances. Deanna Cooper was forced into a smart block after Amaiur Sarriegi picked up a loose ball in Newcastle’s final third and took aim 10 minutes in. Then 5 minutes later Sarriegi continued to be a threat, flicking Sheila Guijarro’s cross onto the foot of the post.

If that was the warning Newcastle failed to heed it, falling behind soon after. Vilda Boe Risa, who starred in the Euros for Norway last month, fired a long-range effort towards goal and saw it creep over Claudia Moan’s gloves. However, the United goalie prevented her side from going further behind soon after when she got down well to tip a low strike from Rosa Otermin around the post.

Boa Risa, who dominated the midfield battle alongside Portugal’s Tatiana Pinto, nearly grabbed her second when she hit the post from the edge of the area after Elysia Boddy was caught in possession.

With just seconds left of the half, Macarena Portales slipped unmarked between Jas McQuade and Moan to head home inside the six-yard box to make it 2-0.

Both sides made changes at half time with Emma Kelly and Lois Joel coming into midfield. While Atletico made four changes of their own. Including that of goalie Patricia Larque, who was replaced by first choice custodian Lola Gallardo.

Newcastle started the second half with purpose and after Molly Pike got in behind the visitor’s defence, her long range effort was denied by the onrushing Gallardo who handled outside the area. Gallardo, who had barely been on the pitch for four minutes, was promptly sent off.

With no further goalkeepers remaining on the bench, defender Silvia Lloris had to take over. Her first job was to deal with Jordan Nobbs’ ensuing free-kick from 20 yards out which she was able to flap over the bar.

Despite having the numerical advantage, Newcastle failed to create many further opportunities. Atletico managed the situation well and indeed continued to dominate possession. A flurry of changes didn’t particularly help although the introduction of Małgorzata Grec for her debut was a positive, as was the switch to a back four for the remaining 20 minutes.

Atlético ended the game on top, and could have made it three when Fiamma Benitez’s close range effort was shot against Moan’s leg following some impressive passing on the edge of the area. And with that, Newcastle’s unbeaten streak at St James Park ended to what were impressive opponents.

Newcastle United Women 0 Atletico Madrid 2

Newcastle United:

Claudia Moan, Aoife Mannion (Małgorzata Grec 67), Deanna Cooper, Charlotte Wardlaw, Beth Lumsden, Jordan Nobbs (Lia Cataldo 71), Elysia Boddy (Lois Joel 46), Jasmine McQuade (Emma Kelly 46), Demi Stokes (c) (Freya Gregory 68), Emily Murphy (Shania Hayles 60), Molly Pike.

Subs not used: Hannah Hawkins, Ava Chapman, Amelia Freeman.

Atletico Madrid Femenino:

Patricia Larque (Lola Gallardo 46), Xenia Perez, Lauren Leal, Silvia Lloris, Macarena Portales (Cristina Redondo 85), Vilda Boe Risa (Andrea Medina 46), Tatiana Pinto, Rosa Otermin (Alexia Fernandez 46), Sheila Guijarro (Synne Jensen 46), Fiamma Benitez, Amaiur Sarriegi (Gabriela Garcia 73).

Subs not used: Carmen Menayo, Natalia Penalvo, Celia Gomez, Lydia Rodriguez, Daniela Minambes.

Where that leaves NUFC

Newcastle’s unbeaten streak at St James’ Park finally came to an end in what was their ninth appearance at SJP. The Lasses’ record in competitive games is still intact however.

With four of their five summer arrivals in action on Saturday, it was a good chance for fans to get their first look at them. But with six spots still needed to be filled in their squad before the start of the season, there is expected to be a busy few weeks on the transfer front as United look to finalise what will be a push for promotion.

What’s coming up

Newcastle now have four weeks before their WSL 2 season gets underway at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, 7 September.

With their home campaign commencing the week after against Sheffield United at Gateshead Stadium, their new home venue for the season.

Before then the Lasses have two further Behind Closed Doors Friendlies away to Forest and fellow promoted side Ipswich Town.