The Yellows were a player down for nearly an hour after Lara Mata was harshly sent off
Villarreal Women were unable to get anything from their visit to Atlético de Madrid Women. Sara Monforte’s team started the game well, but conceded from a set piece, and everything just got more difficult from there. Even more so when Lara Mata saw a second yellow card in the 37th minute.
The objective was tough. The Yellows had a tricky away game to a dangerous Atlético de Madrid side. Villarreal Women looked dangerous in attack, although they couldn’t finish their first few chances. In the opening stages, Sheila Guijarro and Raquel Pinel came close to scoring.
Despite the Yellows’ attempts, it was the home side who went ahead before the quarter-of-an-hour mark. Santos headed into the back of the net from a corner (1-0, m.14).
It was 2-0 after 34 minutes thanks to Kgatlana. The home side’s skilful forward went round the goalkeeper to score.
The match got even more complicated when Mata was sent off for her second yellow card in the 37th minute. The Villarreal captain tried to stop a counter attack and the referee decided it was a foul, leaving the Yellows with ten women.
After half-time, Pancha Lara made her debut, with the Chilean footballer replacing Olivia Oprea.
A great piece of individual work from Shei made it 3-0 (m.54).
Next up for Villarreal Women is a home game against Madrid CFF at the Villarreal CF Training Ground (time and date TBC).
Lineups:
Atlético de Madrid Women: Lindahl; Bárbara (Ajibade, m. 68), Aleixandri (Frisbie, m. 80), Van Dongen, Menayo; Santos, Meseguer (Sampedro, m. 68), Maitane, Shei (Simon, m. 80); Deyna, Kgatlana (Carmen, m. 63).
Villarreal Women: T. Alonso; Nerea, Lara Mata, Soldevila, Olivia (Pancha Lara, m. 46); Zaïra (CIenfu, m. 81), Belén (Bea Prades, m. 58), Ainoa, Estefa; Pinel (Sara Medina, m. 44), Sheila (Laura Royo, m. 58).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 14: Santos. 2-0. Min. 34: Kgatlana. 3-0. Min. 54: Shei.
Referee: Patricia Luna). Booked: Kgatlana, Aleixandri (Atlético de Madrid Women); Estefa, Nerea (Villarreal Women). Sent off: Lara Mata (m. 37, Villarreal Women).
Stadium: Wanda Training Complex.
