After a closely contested first half a Synne Jensen strike was the difference to give the Spanish side a one-goal lead at the break. Further strikes from Sheila Guijarro and substitute Vilde Boe Risa put the game beyond doubt as the Gers now turn their attentions back to domestic action in the return of their league campaign next Sunday.
The Light Blues headed into the match looking for a response from the midweek defeat to Arsenal, with head coach Jo Potter naming four changes to her starting side, Jenna Fife, Tessel Middag, Mia McAulay and Jodi McLeary all came into the team.
After the Gers settled into some early possession in the opening exchanges it was the hosts on the day who had the first opening. Kirsty Howat was dispossessed inside her own half before Tatiana Pinto was set free down the right side, she cut the ball back seeking out Sheila Guijarro, but the pressure from Kathy Hill saw the shot wide without troubling Jenna Fife in goal.
After a period of few chances in the opening 10 minutes the away side had their first opportunity of the contest. Combination play between Jodi McLeary and Kirsty Howat on the edge of the box presented a shooting chance for the forward, but the effort landed in the hands of Patricia Larque in the Atletico goal.
It was again the striker who had the next effort after a set piece opportunity for the Gers. A delivery from the left flank from Brogan Hay was met by the head of Hill before it found the unmarked Howat inside the box, but her powerful effort was claimed by the goalkeeper once again.
At the other end, Atletico looked to find the breakthrough and had the opportunity to do so through Emma Moreno. She was played out wide on the left flank having found a yard of space, she tried her luck with a shot across goal that flashed wide of the target.
Clear-cut openings remained few and far between in the contest towards the half hour mark. Rangers were looking to work openings through midfield with patient build-up inside their own half, with Atletico looking a threat on the counter attack with pace down both channels.
Synne Jensen had an opportunity to test Fife in the Rangers goal having cut in from the right flank. The winger worked the chance onto her left foot and looked to place one into the far corner, but the effort flew over the top of the crossbar.
After limiting the Spanish side to very little clear-cut chances, it was the Liga F side who took the lead just minutes before half time. A pass down the right side set Synne Jensen in behind the Gers backline as she smashed the ball into the far corner to put Atletico in front with a well-taken finish.
After the Gers settled in at the start of the second half it was Atletico who had the chance to double their lead. After some quick play to work it to the right side Naara Miranda fired a dangerous delivery across the box as she seeked out Sheila Guijarro, but the striker was unable to turn the ball goalwards on the stretch.
Rangers introduced Lizzie Arnot into proceedings as they looked for a response on the hour-mark. The winger was involved straight away after Howat’s flick set her free, but her delivery seeking out a teammate was intercepted as the chance went astray.
At the other end, it was the Spanish side who doubled their advantage on the counter-attack. Breaking away down the left they worked the ball across to Jensen. The winger’s strike forced a smart save out of Fife but it was Sheila Guijarro who was first to react to fire in the rebound to make it two.
Potter’s side looked for a way back into the game and had a chance from a set piece opportunity. A delivery round the back post from Arnot picked out the arriving Tessel Middag, but the midfielder’s volley was fired over the top round the back post.
Atletico then wrapped up the contest with a third goal on the counter once again. After working the ball down the left channel it was worked inside to substitute Vilde Boe Risa. The pass was weighted for a first time shot as she placed it into the far corner to make it three with an efficient finish.
The Light Blues looked to get themselves on the scoresheet and again it came from a free kick chance from a wide area. Again Arnot the provider she fired a ball towards the back post with Kathy Hill rising highest, but her downwards header went wide of the target.
The game was then brought to a close to bring an end to Rangers’ European campaign for another season as their focus now swiftly turns back to league action, when they host Spartans at Broadwood Stadium in eight days time.
ATLETICO MADRID: Larque, Perez Alminana, Jensen, Garcia, Guijarro, Otermin, Pinto (Boe Risa 62), Fiamma (Benitez 75), Barth (Lauren 75), Moreno (Queiroz 62), Miranda (Sierra 83)
SUBS: Gallardo, Alba, Vicente, Vitoria, Ajibade, Medina
RANGERS: Fife, Docherty, Eddie, Hill, Middag, Hay (Austin 83), Howat (Wilkinson 70), Hardy (Berry 70), McAulay (Arnot 61), McLoughlin, McLeary (Lafaix 83)
SUBS: Esson, Rafferty, Black