Villarreal Women lose to the side from Rioja with Aixa scoring the Yellows’ two goals
It was clear that the match between Villarreal Women and DUX Logroño was going to be a pulsating affair, as third place in the league was at stake. Virginia García’s side showed grit and pride to try to turn around a scoreline that went against them as early as the eighth minute. Two goals from Aixa Salvador gave the groguetes hope, but they were not enough to overcome the forcefulness of the side from La Rioja.
From the opening whistle, the wind played a crucial role, as it added another component to the game, making some of the ball’s movements around the pitch unpredictable. However, DUX Logroño seemed to be unaffected by this. In the eighth minute, Marta Masferrer gave the visitors the lead from a set piece (0-1). Villarreal Women did not shy away from the goal and tried to respond quickly, with a great move by Nerea Pérez, although the ball ended up in Chelsea’s hands. It was in the 23rd minute of play that the opposition managed to extend their lead, as Vicky Benítez brought down a player inside the area, and Yui Fukuta made no mistake from 11 metres (0-2).
Almost on the verge of half-time, a handball inside the DUX Logroño area allowed Aixa Salvador to score from the penalty spot, making it 1-2.
In the second half, DUX Logroño did their damage again from set pieces. In the 60th minute, Cienfu, in an attempt to clear a Yui Fukuta shot, ended up putting the ball into her own net (1-3). A goal that certainly stopped the Yellows in their tracks. The player who tried again and again was Aixa. The forward from Castellón had an effort that went over the bar, a counter-attack in which she ended up colliding with Chelsea – who left the game injured due to the fortuitous blow – and ended up finding the back of the net in the 91st minute. Maria Ferreira’s perfect assist from Aixa only had to touch the ball home to pull one back (2-3) and still have hope in stoppage time. However, seven minutes elapsed and Villarreal Women were unable to pick up any points.
Line-ups:
Villarreal Women: C. Carbonell; Nerea, Vicky, I. Miguélez, N. Vicente (Riquelme J., m. 46); María (Elena Gil, m.85), Maria Ferreira, Cienfu; Lucía G. (Rita, m. 77), Aixa, Lauris.
DUX Logroño: Chelsea Ashurst (Mai Fukuta, m. 80), Nora Sánchez (Natalia Cebolla, m. 61), Iría Castro, Marta Masferrer, Alimata Belem, Martuka Molinero, Sandra Perera, Martina del Trecco (Sonya Keefe, m. 52), Lorena Valderasm Yui Fukuta, Justina Morcillo (Ximena Velazo, m. 52).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 8: Marta Masferrer. 0-2. Min. 24: Yui Fukuta (p). 1-2. Min. 44: Aixa (p). 1-3. Min. 60: Cienfu (OG). 2-3. Min. 90’+1: Aixa.
Referee: Deborah Aguilar. Booked: Vicky Benítez, Cienfu (Villarreal); Iría Castro, Sandra Perera (DUX Logroño).
Matchday information: Matchday 12 of the 2024/25 Primera Federación season on Pitch 5 of the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground.
