The goals from Sheila Guijarro and Estefa Lima give Sara Monforte’s side wings
Villarreal Women earned a hard-fought draw against Atlético de Madrid, who are currently in fourth place in the Finetwork Liga F, to get their momentum going ahead of the league break. Sheila Guijarro scored the first goal from the penalty spot and Estefa Lima equalised in the closing stages.
Villarreal Women were aware of the difficulty of the game. This time around, coached by Sergi Campos, the home side put in a solid defensive line to counteract the Madrid side’s attacking potential. The home side started by threatening in the third minute with a counter attack on the right flank, but Eva Navarro’s shot went wide. However, she did not spare the second chance she had. Directly from a corner kick, the Atlético de Madrid player scored the opener (1-0).
The Yellows continued to fight tooth and nail and were rewarded just five minutes later. On a counter-attack, Moraza brought down Belén Martínez inside the box and Sheila equalised from the penalty spot (1-1) to take the game into the break.
In the second half, the introduction of players such as Fatou Kanteh, Estefa Lima and Tere Morató tried to give Villarreal a more aggressive attacking edge. The game became more difficult in the 56th minute when, once again, Eva Navarro took advantage of a through ball from Shei to once again score past Carmen Carbonell. The Yellows never gave up and, when everything seemed to indicate that the score was not going to change, Estefa Lima unleashed the euphoria of Monforte’s side. A first-time shot that hit the post surprised the crowd at the Centro Deportivo Wanda and, from the rebound, she scored the equaliser in the 87th minute (2-2).
In the second half, the introduction of players such as Fatou Kanteh, Estefa Lima and Tere Morató tried to give Villarreal a more aggressive attacking edge. The game became more difficult in the 56th minute when, once again, Eva Navarro took advantage of a through ball from Shei to once again score past Carmen Carbonell. The Yellows never gave up and, when everything seemed to indicate that the score was not going to change, Estefa Lima unleashed the euphoria of Monforte’s side. A first-time shot that hit the post surprised the crowd at the Centro Deportivo Wanda and, from the rebound, she scored the equaliser in the 87th minute (2-2).
Next up for Villarreal Women is a game against Valencia CF at the Estadio Antonio Puchades on Tuesday 24th January at 9pm. The match corresponds to Gameweek 16 of the 2022/23 Finetwork Liga F season.
Lineups:
Atlético de Madrid: L. Gallardo; Medina, Xènia, Menayo (m. 70, Moraza), Lundkvist (m. 92, Lucía Moral); Eva Navarro (m. 70, Stasková), S. Majarín, Banini (m. 80, Van Dongen), Shei; Ajibade, Cardona (m. 80, Virginia).
Villarreal Women: C. Carbonell; Albeta, Giménez, I. Miguélez, Nerea; M. Llompart (m. 62, Estefa), Soldevila, Ainoa, Claudia I.; Sheila (m. 92, Cienfu), Belén (m. 62, Tere).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 20: Eva Navarro. 1-1. Min. 25: Sheila (p). 2-1. Min. 56: Eva Navarro. 2-2. Min: 87: Estefa.
Referee: Olatz Rivera. Booked: Xènia, Menayo (Atlético de Madrid); Sent off: I. Miguélez (Min: 90+2, Villarreal Women).
Matchday information: Match corresponding to Gameweek 15 of the 2022/23 Finetwork Liga F season between Atlético de Madrid and Villarreal Women, at the Centrio Deportivo Wanda in Alcalá de Henares.
