The Yellows lose for the first time in Primera Iberdrola to a good Alaves side, who have won every game so far this season
Villarreal Women arrived at the José Luis Compañón Training Ground for a game between two newly-promoted sides to face an Alavés side that had won their first two matches in Primera Iberdrola, and ended the game with their 100% record intact. Sara Monforte’s side fought until the very end, but got no reward.
Villarreal’s first chance fell to Raquel Manel, who attempted to make an acrobatic shot, but was unable to make proper contact with the ball. The Yellows started the game trying to play out from the back, and by being dangerous in possession, but they were unable to properly take control of the match, coming up against a Basque side who went head-to-head with them from the first minute, looking to capitalise on any error by the away side. In the 22nd minute, the first goal came. Nerea’s ball into the box was sent into the back of the net by Nigerian defender Ohale, leaving Elena de Toro with no chance.
Villarreal Women did not give up, and with half an hour on the clock, Belén was played through and collided with Cris, the Basque team’s goalkeeper, on the edge of the box. She was close to getting past the goalkeeper, which would have seen her score at ease.
In the second half, Villarreal pressed from the beginning, and continued looking dangerous through counter-attacks and by playing balls into the box, but the Alavés defence was impressive, and the Yellows were unable to find any of the home team’s weaknesses as they attacked the final third.
Joan Goterris, who was on the bench after Sara Monforte had to watch from the stands due to her sending off against Eibar, made a triple change in the 60th minute. Olivia Oprea, Estefa Lima and Vera Rico replaced Raquel Pinel, Belén Martínez and Laura Royo. The substitutions freshened up Villarreal, and the Yellows took more control of the game. They did so even more after the fourth change, with Sara Medina coming on for Bea Prades. However, in the 88th minute, the home side killed off the game with a Naima García volley, which made it 2-0.
The Yellows lost in the top flight for the first time. Next up for the Yellows is a game against FC Barcelona this Wednesday (6pm CEST) at the Mini Estadi at the Villarreal CF Training Ground.
Lineups:
Alavés Gloriosas: Cris; Gastearena, Ohale, Sonia García, Nerea Nevado; Alba, Clarck, Gema Soliveres (Miku Ito, m.80); Carla Armengol (Naima García, m.67), Chamorro (Garazi, m.67), Ane Miren (Irati, m.89).
Villarreal Women: Elena de Toro; Nerea, Lara Mata, Soldevila, Laura Royo (Vera Rico, m.61); Bea Prades (S. Medina, m.71), Ainoa, Cienfu; Belén (Estefa Lima, m.61), Sheila (Sara Bermell, m.82), Raquel Pinel (Olivia Oprea, m.61).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 24: Ohale. 2-0. Min 88: Naima.
Referee: Paola Cebollada López. Booked: Miku Ito (Alavés); Bea Prades, Lara Mata, Olivia Oprea (Villarreal Femenino).
Stadium: José Luis Compañón Training Ground.
