Primera Iberdrola: Matchday nine round-up
Barcelona win again
The defending champions travelled to the Basque country on Saturday, and they had the game wrapped up before half -time.
Barcelona took the lead in the 20th minute, when Ana-Maria Crnogorčević headed home Lieke Martens’ lofted cross. The European champions doubled their advantage only four minutes later, with Asisat Oshoala tapping home from close range to score her 11th league goal of the season.
Martens was once again the creator for Barcelona’s third, as you stood a ball up to be dispatched by Jennifer Hermoso, who has now scored in four consecutive games for her club.
Having won every game this season, Barcelona are six points clear at the top and will now turn their attention towards a Champions League clash with Hoffenheim on Wednesday.
Embed from Getty ImagesReal Madrid make it two in two
After beating Valencia in their previous league fixture, Real Madrid were aiming for consecutive victories, when they hosted fellow Madrid side Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
The home side dominated the first half, but they were unable to break the deadlock, with Rayo Vallecano defending astutely.
Rayo’s resolve was broken in the 54th minute, when Esther González created some space in the area thanks to some neat footwork, and the forward kept her composure to slide the ball into the bottom corner.
If David Asnar’s side aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League, then they will need to embark on a winning run to close the gap to the top three, with Real Madrid currently in 11th position and eight points of Atletico Madrid in third place.
Embed from Getty ImagesReal Sociedad back on track
La Real started the season with six consecutive victories, but their progress was halted as they suffered consecutive defeats to Levante and Barcelona.
At the weekend, they welcome Real Betis to San Sebastian, and they flew out of the blocks, scoring three goals inside 25 minutes.
Nerea Eizagirre scored from the spot to put Real Sociedad ahead, and she found the net once again to double La Real’s advantage, when she drilled the ball into the bottom corner, following some neat build-up play.
Gemma Gili grabbed La Real’s third, firing home from outside and Real Betis’ miserable first half was compounded just a minute before the break, when Grace Asantewaa was given her marching orders after receiving her second yellow card.
Iris Arnaiz wrapped up the scoring in the 57th minute with the goal of the game. Gabriela Garcia rolled the ball into the path of Arnaiz, whose powerful effort from outside the box, clipped the underside of the crossbar and nestled in the back of the net.
Embed from Getty ImagesLevante leave it late to sink Athletic Club
Athletic Club took the lead in the second minute, when Ane Azkona raced through on goal before laying the ball off to Lucía García, who tapped into the empty net. Levante responded in the 17th minute, with Giovana Queiroz volleying home to restore parity.
However, the hosts would take a lead into the break, when they were awarded a penalty for a handball. Garazi Murua stepped up to caress the ball into the bottom corner.
Levante drew level once again in the 69th minute, when Leire Baños timed her run into the box to sweep home Sandi Toletti’s cut back. Oihane Valdezate was sent off for Athletic Club, after pulling back Quieroz, who was racing through on goal. In the 87th minute, Toletti scored the winner from the resulting free-kick to compound the home side’s misery. There was still time for Athletic Club to miss a penalty, with Andreea Părăluță saving down low to deny Murua, and ensure Levante collected all three points.
Embed from Getty ImagesResults elswehere:
Madrid CFF got back to winning ways after suffering consecutive defeats, when they faced Villarreal on Saturday. Silvio Rubio bagged a brace, before Geyse capped off the win with her ninth league goal of the season.
Sporting Huelva are still winless this term after suffering a 3-0 defeat at home to Tenerife. María José Pérez opened the scoring for the visitors, before Cristina Martín-Prieto and Beattie Goad sealed the win with a goal apiece.
Sevilla stole all three points after scoring the winner in the 86th minute against Deportivo Alavés, when Elisa Del Estal Mateu netted for the second time this season.
On Sunday, Atletico Madrid travelled to Valencia, with Los Che holding Atleti to a surprise point. Thembi Kgatlana gave Atleti the lead, but Marta Carro equalised before half-time. Valencia managed to resist Atleti’s attempts to find a winner, with Enith Salon starring in goal for the home side.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatchday nine results:
Eibar 0-3 Barcelona
Villarreal 0-3 Madrid C.F.F
Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
Sporting Huelva 0-3 UDG Tenerife
Athletic Club 2-3 Levante
Real Sociedad 4-0 Real Betis
Sevilla 1-0 Deportivo Alaves
Valencia 1-1 Atletico Madrid
