Villarreal Women were able to fight back after Atlético de Madrid B’s opener to end up winning with goals from Lauris and Aixa Salvador
The match was clearly going to be a high-stakes affair. Villarreal Women travelled to Alcalá de Henares to take on Atlético de Madrid B, well known to Virginia García and Lauris. The home side were not in the best of form, having lost their last two games against Cacereño (2-0) and FC Barcelona B (0-2), but they were not about to give up on their own turf. For their part, the Yellows wanted to overcome and make amends for their 1-3 defeat to Atlético Baleares, and so it proved. Goals from Lauris and Aixa Salvador secured all three points for Villarreal Women, who continue to fight to stay in the play-off positions.
Villarreal Women, with some changes in the starting XI such as the appearance of Irene Miguélez (after making her debut last weekend after a long recovery process) or Rita Almeida as starters, came out determined to take control of the game, as in the 13th minute came the first clear chance of the match. Lucía Gómez got on the end of a cross from Nerea, but luck was not on her side and the ball went wide.
Atlético de Madrid B struck first, however, as Cristina Redondo put the home side ahead in the 15th minute (1-0). Despite the blow, the visitors continued to persist, equalising just three minutes later through Lauris (1-1). In the 29th minute, Aixa Salvador gave the first warning that they were still going to give battle and it was close to half-time when she shot at goal and made no mistake (1-2, min. 45).
In the second half, the Yellows had to do a great defensive job in order to maintain their minimal advantage. The various changes introduced on the pitch gave the team a new look and they even had another chance to score the third after a cross from Lauris failed to find a player, and a shot from Lena Pérez. Despite the lack of luck, the minutes ticked away until the final whistle, allowing Virginia García’s side to take those three much-needed points.
Line-ups:
Atlético de Madrid B: Adriana Fernández, Yolanda Sierra, Jennifer López, Raquel Gómez, Clara Huerta (Zaira Diestro, m. 60), Alba Zafra (Vicky Chica, m. 54), Cristina Redondo, Lydia Rodríguez, Dana Benítez (Alba Dargel, m. 73), Noe Llamas (Sara Scheller, m. 73), Claudia Gallinas (María de los Rey, m. 54)
Villarreal Femenino: C. Carbonell; Nerea, I. Miguélez (Riquelme J., m. 66), Lena Pérez, N. Vicente; María, Guerrero (Maria Ferreira, m. 46), Rita (Cienfu, m. 46); Lucía G. (Lucía R., m. 55), Lauris, Aixa (Elena Gil, m. 66).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 15: Cristina Redondo. 1-1. Min. 18. Lauris. 1-2. Min. 44: Aixa.
Referee: Deborah Aguilar Bonilla. Booked: Yolanda Sierra (Atlético de Madrid B).
Matchday inforamtion: Match between Atlético de Madrid B and Villarreal Women, corresponding to Matchday 7 of the 2024/25 Primera Federación Iberdrola, in Alcalá de Henares.