Sara Monforte’s side put in a solid performance against FC Barcelona
Villarreal Femenino lost to FC Barcelona (1-4), but they did so by putting up a fight against the reigning champions. The Yellows competed, stayed in the game and caused problems to the home side midway through the second half, when the Yellows scored through Rocío García.
The first few minutes of the game reflected a good start from the Submarine. The visitors were strong in defence and looked to surprise their opponents with quick counter-attacking moves. And they came very close to doing just that. In the 23rd minute, Rocío García finished a quick counter-attack, but the referee flagged for offside.
Two minutes later, FC Barcelona responded to the Yellows’ warning with a goal from Mapi León. The Spanish international’s perfect free-kick put the Catalans ahead at the Mini Estadi. The visitors’ goal was followed by a couple of dangerous moments. A great save by Elena de Toro and a great block by Cristina Cubedo prevented Jonathan Giráldez’s side from going further ahead.
The Submarine were then hit with a cold shower after returning from the half-time break. Just a couple of minutes into the second half, FC Barcelona scored the second goal. Oshoala beat de Toro after a ball played behind the defence.
The goal didn’t discourage the Yellows. In the 57th minute, Rocío scored for the Submarine when she took advantage of a fantastic assist from Ainoa Campo, who won the ball back in the opposition half before laying the ball off for the former Barcelona youth player to lift the Mini Estadi crowd out of their seats.
After the yellow goal, the game became an end-to-end spectacle. A constant exchange of blows that went FC Barcelona’s way. In the 75th minute, Claudia Pina, sent a powerful shot from the heart of the box into the net.
Late on, the away side got their fourth from a corner which hit a Yellows’ defender and ended up in the back of the net.
Lineups:
Villarreal Women: Elena de Toro; Nerea, Lara Mata, C. Cubedo, Giménez, Ainoa (Claudia I., m. 79), Soldevila, Cienfu (M. Llompart, m. 55), Belén (Kanteh, m. 46); Rocío (Nerea Sánchez, m. 79), Sheila (Estefa, m. 66).
FC Barcelona: Sandra Paños; Marta Torrejón, Irene Paredes (Laia Codina, m. 82), Rolfo (Nuria Rábano, m. 74); Ingrid Engen (Claudia Pina, m. 66), Mariona, Hansen, Patri Guijarro; Ferreira (Crnogorcevic, m. 82), Oshoala (Keira Walhs, m. 66).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 27: Mapi León. 0-2. Min. 48: Oshoala. 1-2. Min. 57: Rocío. 1-3. Min. 75: Claudia Pina. 1-4. Min. 85: Lara Mata (OG).
Referee: Elia María Martínez Martínez. Booked: Sheila (Villarreal Women); Hansen (FC Barcelona).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal Women and FC Barcelona Women, corresponding to Matchday 3 of the 2022/23 Liga F season, at the Mini Estadi. Attendance: 2,200.
