The Yellows couldn’t overcome Real Betis’ early goal
Villarreal Women started the 2023/24 season with great excitement. The first opponent of the season, after Matchday 1 was not played due to the strike called by the players’ unions, was Real Betis. The Yellows’ players tried their best, but were unable to overcome the early goal scored by the home side, scored by Roberts.
In the early stages of the game, the home side, encouraged by their fans, played an intense high block defence, creating danger for the home side. In fact, Pancha Lara cleared a ball that was almost inside the goal and the situation became tense with two crosses from Roberts and Carla Armengol. It was in the 17th minute when the goal came. The home side took advantage of a defensive error, leaving Carmen Carbonell unsettled, and Roberts scored. From this moment on, Villarreal were able to recover from the initial scare and began to generate danger in the rival area. Tere failed to reach two magnificent crosses from Fatou Kanteh and Nerea Pérez and, for her part, Pancha Lara sent the ball into the goalkeeper’s hands. The goal was not forthcoming and the game went into the break with the score at 1-0.
In the second half, the Yellows started to get closer and closer to the opposition box. Even so, the reward did not come in the form of a goal. The changes introduced by Sara Monforte, such as Kayla McKenna, María Llompart and Mar Imbergamo brought a freshness to the game. However, the efforts could not be converted into a goal and the Submarine were defeated in their league debut.
Villarreal Women’s next match, corresponding to matchday 3 of Liga F, will take place on Saturday 30th September at 7pm CEST against Valencia CF at the Mini Estadi at the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground.
Lineups:
Real Betis: Paula Vizoso; Roberts, María Jiménez, Dorine; Carol Férez (m. 72, Júlia), Nuria, Rosa Márquez, Violeta Quiles (m. 90, Cameron), Gema; Carmen Álvarez (m. 72, Noelia Salazar), Carla.
Villarreal Women: C. Carbonell; Nerea, Giménez, C. Cubedo, F. Lara; Claudia I., Soldevila, Virginia (m. 72, Mar), Lucía R. (m. 56, McKenna); Tere (m. 65, M. Llompart), Kanteh.
Goal1-0. Min. 17: Roberts.
Referee: María Eugenia Gil Soriano. Booked: Virginia Torrecilla & Fatou Kanteh (Villarreal Women).
Matchday inforamtion: Matchday 2 of the 2023/24 Liga F season between Real Betis and Villarreal Women, at the Luis del Sol. Training Ground.
