The Yellows deserved to win, but the victory was snatched from their grasp after a 96th minute penalty
Villarreal Women drew against Levante Las Planas (2-2) in a match in which the Yellows deserved to win. In fact, they went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Claudia I. and M. Llompart, but the Catalan side managed to equalise with goals from Bau (86′) and Jessi, the latter from the penalty spot in the 96th minute.
The match started off tightly contested. Villarreal Women played with fluidity in midfield, looking to play quickly down the flanks to create danger in the box.
The first big chance of the game fell to Levante Las Planas with a shot from the edge of the area that forced Carmen Carbonell into a superb save. From then on, the chances fell to the Yellows.
First, María Llompart shot wide from Kanteh’s right-wing cross just as the Mini Estadi was celebrating a goal.
The first goal came from a similar move. Kanteh crossed from the right and this time Claudia Iglesias appeared at the far post to send the ball into the back of the net (24′).
Villarreal Women were doing their damage down the flanks. In fact, they could have extended their lead with a low pass from Raquel on the left that Lucía Gómez shot wide with everything in her favour.
The start of the second half was fruitful for Villarreal Women. Only a few seconds had elapsed when María Llompart didn’t think twice about it and struck a tremendous left-footed shot from the edge of the area that went in off the base of the post. It was a great goal (2-0, 47′).
Levante Las Planas, who had made four changes at half-time, went on the attack. They could have pulled one back with a Julve shot that crashed viciously against the crossbar (49′).
The Yellows even made it 3-0 through McKenna, but the goal was disallowed for a narrow offside. The goal that did make it 2-1 was scored by Bau for Levante Las Planas with an accurate shot that Carmen Carbonell could do nothing about (82′).
The end was cruel. In the last minute the referee flagged for a penalty for Ainoa’s hands. Jessi made it 2-2 from the spot.
Villarreal Women’s next game will be away against Madrid CFF (Saturday, 2pm CET).
Lineups:
Villarreal Women: C. Carbonell; Nerea, Giménez, Ainoa, Raquel; Claudia I. (María, m. 88), Soldevila, M. Llompart (Tere, m. 72); Kanteh (F. Lara, m. 72), Lucía G., McKenna (Lucía R., m. 92).
Levante Las Planas: Nay; Bene, Júlia, Amanda (Laura, m. 46), Allegra; Nerea (Baby, m. 46), Domi (Bau, m. 46), Yas (Jiali, m. 46); Jessi, Irina (Pilar, m. 72), Julve.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 24: Claudia I. 2-0. Min. 47: M. Llompart. 2-1. Min. 82: Bau. 2-2. Min. 90+6: Jessi, de penalti.
Referee: Luna Varo. Booked: Claudia I., Lucía G., Nerea (Villarreal); Yas, Irina, Jiali (Levante Las Planas).
Matchday inforamtion: Game corresponding to Matchday 11 of the 2023/23 Liga F season at the Mini Estadi at the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground. Attendance: 400.
