Villarreal Women fight back away from home and pick up a new win against Sporting de Huelva
Villarreal Women picked up an important win in their visit to Sporting de Huelva (2-3) in a match with a first half that had no fewer than five goals – three for the Yellows, thanks to Lauris, Aixa Salvador and Cienfu – and a second half which was much tighter, where the Yellows were able to stay strong against the Andalusian side in attack.
It was a first half of strong emotions. In the eight minute, Lauris but the Yellows ahead, but the home side fought back quickly, with Ida making it 1-1 two minutes later. In the 21st minute, the Andalusians scored once more, with Sarai Gómez scoring directly from a free-kick. The Submarine weren’t defeated however. On the half-hour mark, Aixa Salvador made it 2-2 on the half-hour mark and Cienfu once again put the Yellows in front after 39 minutes.
If the first half was a rollercoaster of emotions, the Yellows had to dig in during the second half to defend their lead. Although the Andalusian side tried to pen the Yellows back, in the 80th minute, Aixa almost made it 2-4 with a shot that hit the post.
The match ended 2-3 for Virginia García’s side and Villarreal get another three points that keep them in the fight at the top of the table.
Line-ups:
Sporting de Huelva: Natalia; Hitomi, Deli (Andersson, min. 46), Alba Q. R., Sarai G. (María Carvajal, min. 59), Sulola (Akaya, min. 46), Honoka, Ida, Birgul (Raquel Quintana, min. 70), Albarrán, Bjerksaeter.
Villarreal CF: M. Quesada; Lena Pérez, Vicky, Cienfu, María (Rita, min. 75), Nerea (Lucía G., min. 63), Guerrero, Riquelme J. (Nerea Pérez, min. 63), Lauris, Aixa, Maria Ferreira (Claudia Enseñat, min. 87).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 8: Lauris. 1-1. Min. 11: Ida. 2-1. Min. 22: Sarai G. 2-2. Min. 32: Aixa. 2-3. Min. 39: Cienfu.
Referee: Beatriz Arregui. Booked: Sarai G., Honoka, Raquel Quintana (Sporting de Huelva); Nerea Pérez (Villarreal CF).
Matchday information: Match at the Ciudad Deportiva Francisco Mendoza. Before kick-off, a minute’s silence was held in memory of the victims of the flooding in Valencia. The Villarreal players took to the pitch with a t-shirt with the slogan ‘Força Valencia’ (Stay Strong Valencia).
