Newcastle United Women 0 Atlético Madrid Femenino 2 | OneFootball

The Lasses fielded a strong side for the tough test against UEFA Women's Champions League opposition and carved out some good passages of play as Becky Langley's side continue to build their fitness for the upcoming WSL2 campaign.

An opening goal from Vilda Boe Risa and a Macarena Portales strike late in the first half were enough for the Spanish side to pick up the win, despite seeing goalkeeper Lola Gallardo sent off for handling the ball outside of her area.

It was a stellar start from the visitors, who pinned United back for the majority of the first half and were almost rewarded after just ten minutes when Amaiur Sarriegi picked up a loose ball in Newcastle's final third, but her shot was blocked by Deanna Cooper.

There was an early positive sign for the Lasses, however, when summer arrival Molly Pike created some space just outside of the Atlético penalty area. However, her effort was scooped high over Patricia Larque's crossbar.

The pressure from Atlético didn't halt afterwards with Sarriegi continuing to be a threat when she flicked Sheila Guijarro's cross onto the foot of the post just after the 15-minute mark.

Victor Martin's side were rewarded for their early pressure three minutes later as Boe Risa fired a long-range effort goal-bound and watched on as it squirmed through the palms of Claudia Moan.

However, Moan was the reason United didn't go two behind shortly after as she got down extremely well to tip Rosa Otermin's fizzing low strike around her far post.

Newcastle continued to play out from the back but were caught out as Elysia Boddy had her pocket picked, allowing Boe Risa to curl an effort beyond Moan - but not the far post as her strike spun behind.

With the final action of the first half, Portales ghosted between Jasmine McQuade and Moan to deftly head home inside the six-yard box and double the visitors' lead.

United came out for the second half with much more intensity and looked set to claw one back when Pike was racing toward the Gallowgate End before substitute goalkeeper Gallardo handled outside the area.

With no goalkeepers remaining on the bench, Silvia Lloris took the gloves, with her first task to tip over Jordan Nobbs' free-kick from 20 yards out.

United dominated the ball against the ten players of Atlético, but Los Rojiblancos defended very well and ensured that Newcastle would find it difficult to test Lloris in goal.

As the game entered the final five minutes, Atlético began to grow confident once again, and after playing some neat one-two football on the edge of the area, Fiamma Benitez was only denied by the outstretched leg of Moan from close range.

Newcastle United Women: Claudia Moan, Aoife Mannion (Małgorzata Grec 67), Deanna Cooper, Charlotte Wardlaw, Jordan Nobbs (Lia Cataldo 71), Elysia Boddy (Lois Joel 45), Jasmine McQuade (Emma Kelly 45), Beth Lumsden, Demi Stokes (c) (Freya Gregory 67), Emily Murphy (Shania Hayles 59), Molly Pike

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