Villarreal Women lose at the Antonio Puchades against Valencia despite being better on the pitch and having more chances
Villarreal Women left the Estadio Antonio Puchades without any points, despite the Yellows being better from the opening minute, both in terms of performance and chances. Pancha Lara put Sara Monforte’s team ahead, but two long-ranged efforts from Valencia, from Candela Andújar and Anna Torrodà, decided the tie in Paterna.
The Submarine warned the Valencian side early on with crosses in from the right, first from Estefa Lima, which was just out of the reach of Salma Paralluelo, and then from Nerea Pérez, searching for Sheila Guijarro. With 15 minutes on the clock, Paralluelo had the best chance of the start of the first half. Estefa won the ball back in the Valencai half, played the ball to the teenager, who beat the defender, but her shot went just wide of the post.
Only three minutes later, Pancha Lara scored the opener. The Chilean full-back got her foot on a ball in a melée in the box, and was able to beat Enith. Villarreal Women deserved their lead. The Yellos wanted more, and quickly after, they had a dangerous chance, but María Cienfuegos, showing sporting spirit, decided to kick the ball out of play with the opposition goalkeeper on the floor, leaving an empty goal.
Villarreal continued having chances, with a powerful Lara Mata header and a Cienfu effort going wide, while Valencia had their first shot in the 45th minute. The first chance for the Yellows in the second half nearly led to a goal. A Valencia defender deflected Cienfu’s effort just off target.
When the Yellows’ domination was clear, a loss of the ball in the middle of the pitch saw Valencia draw level. Andújar’s powerful long-range effort was unstoppable for Elena de Toro. Not too long later, Torrodà gave the home side the lead with another great effort from outside the box. Despite being the better side, Villarreal found themselves behind.
The Yellows tried to fight back, with Sheila and Belén Martínez having chances to equaliser, but the home goalkeeper made two great saves to give her side the three points.
Lineups
Valencia CF Women: Enith; Bea Beltrán (m. 45, Real), Berta, María Jiménez (m. 62, Aguado), Esther; M. Carro, Candela, Torrodà; Salmi (m. 72, Alguacil), Jansen, Asun.
Villarreal CF Women: Elena de Toro; Nerea, Lara Mata, Y. Giménez, F. Lara; Estefa, Soldevila, Ainoa, Cienfu (m. 76, Belén); Paralluelo, Sheila (m. 86, Pinel S.).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 18: F. Lara. 1-1. Min 66: Candela. 2-1. Min. 71: Torrodà.
Referee: Elia María Martínez Martínez. Booked: Bea Beltrán, María Jiménez (Valencia); Estefa, F. Lara, Soldevila, Nerea (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Match between Valencia CF and Villarreal CF, corresponding to Primera Iberdrola Matchday 24, at the Estadio Antonio Puchades in Paterna.
