KANSAS CITY (August 17, 2024) — The Kansas City Current officially completed the club’s International Summer of Soccer undefeated, defeating Atlético de Madrid 1-0 in the Women’s Cup final on Saturday night at CPKC Stadium. Midfielder Debinha scored the game-winning goal in the 12th minute after a superb one-two with striker Temwa Chawinga. From there, both defenses held firm, but Debinha’s strike allowed the Current to close out their summer with a trophy.

“I hope this is just the beginning,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “We want to do a lot more. We obviously want to do more for the organization, we want to do a lot more for the community because the support they give us in every game we play is incredible.”

Saturday’s championship match started quickly, with both sides having good scoring opportunities early on. In the ninth minute, Atlético striker Rasheedat Ajibade sent in a dangerous cross that was deflected by a Current defender and found its way to fellow striker Synne Jensen at the penalty spot. Jensen had a clear view of goal from the penalty spot, but her volley flew just over Current goalkeeper AD Franch’s net.

The Current broke through a few minutes later after a brilliant move. In the 12th minute, Debinha found Chawinga at the top of Atlético’s 16-yard box and Chawinga answered the Brazilian’s quick run with an inch-perfect back pass that rolled just to the left of the penalty spot. Debinha finished the move with a left-footed shot that found the bottom corner of the goal, giving The Current a 1-0 lead.

From there, both sides came into the game better and Debinha’s effort was the only shot on goal of the first half. The Current had more shots on goal in the opening period than Atlético, 6-2.

The Currents continued to bombard Atlético’s goal in the second half. Atlético’s goalkeeper Lola Gallardo had to intervene several times to keep the Currents’ one-goal lead. In the 52nd minute, she made a diving save to parry a long-range shot by Current midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo. Ten minutes later, Gallardo made another excellent save when she denied a one-on-one opportunity from striker Michelle Cooper.

Atlético’s best chance of the game came in the 72nd minute. Ajibade was the catalyst, sending a through ball deep to striker Giovanna Queiroz. On the right side of the Currents’ 16-yard box, Franch made a remarkable save to deny Queiroz’s low shot and keep Kansas City in the lead.

Franch, who pitched the shutout on Saturday night, made several crucial saves as the Current fended off a series of last-minute corner kicks from Atlético. Kansas City’s solid defense ultimately prevented the visitors from scoring and the club wrapped up its first Intercontinental tournament with a win.

INAC Kobe finished third in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Cup in Kansas City by defeating Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in the first game of the doubleheader at CPKC Stadium on Saturday.

Following Saturday’s win, Kansas City turns its attention back to NWSL play as the league returns from its Olympic break. First up for the Current is an away game against the Washington Spirit on August 25 at 11 a.m. CT. Next Sunday’s game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network, and fans in Kansas City can catch the action on KMCI, 38 The Spot. Additionally, Kansas City fans can listen to Dave Borchardt and Jillian Carroll Letrinko provide commentary on the Current’s game in English and Spanish on 90.9 The Bridge or on the KC Current app.

The Women’s Cup match report
Match: Kansas City Current vs Atlético de Madrid
Date: August 17, 2024
Venue: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Kick-off: 8:09 p.m. CT
Weather: 84 degrees, humid

discipline
19′ Atlético – Jensen (yellow)
52′ Atlético – Barth (yellow)
66′ Atlético – Pinto (Yellow)
86′ Kansas City – LaBonta (Yellow)

Rating
12′ Kansas City – Debinha (Chawinga)

Rating Summary

Current Kansas City lineup: Franch, Wheeler, Ballisager, Cook, Mace (80′ Rodriguez), Hutton, LaBonta ©, DiBernardo (73′ Feist), Debinha, Chawinga, Cooper (73′ Prince)
Unused substitutes: Schult, Steigleder, Glas, Ball, Scott, Hamilton, Silkowitz

Atlético Madrid line-up: Gallardo ©, Moraza, Perez, Boa Risa (62′ Vitoria Da Silva), Jensen (46′ Otermin), Garcia (62′ Benitez), Guijarro (62′ Queiroz), Medina, Ajibade, Pinto, Barth
Unused substitutes: De Isidro, Moreno, Corros, Miranda, Martinez, Queiroz