News
DOM 15.01.2017
Rayo Vallecano 0-3 Atletico Madrid
A Madrid derby kicked off not just this matchday, but also the second half of the season, and it was a fitting curtain-raiser, Atletico delivering a commanding performance that underlined their title credentials.
With Rayo setting their stall out simply to stifle the league leaders, it was no surprise that the Rojiblancas dominated from the off. Indeed, in spite of the hosts' impressive organisation, Angel Villacampa's charges carved out several openings, but a combination of tame finishing and some fine keeping from Alicia Gomez ensured it was goalless at the break.
The second half followed a similar script, with one major difference: Atleti were not about to be so wasteful again. A mere three minutes after the restart, Andrea Falcon rose high and glanced home a cross to open the floodgates.
Six minutes later and it was 2-0, Bea Beltran sweeping home after some excellent work by Sonia Bermudez. The visitors wrapped up the points not long after the hour mark when Amanda Sampedro unselfishly laid one on a plate for strike partner Esther Gonzalez.
The Basques got back to winning ways against high-flying opposition in an encounter that was not short on incident, with all three goals coming in the first half.
Just three minutes had elapsed when Nahikari Garcia fired Real Sociedad into the lead with a swerving strike from outside the box. Nine minutes later, however, Nuria Mendoza turned a Charlyn Corral cross past her own goalkeeper to restore parity.
Another own goal proved the match-winner, as Manuela Lareo's attempted cut-back ricocheted off Sonia Prim and into the net. Only the woodwork and an inspired Maria Asuncion Quiñones prevented Levante from drawing level for the second time after the interval.
More than 3,000 fans were in attendance as Zaragoza CFF returned to La Romareda, but most of them will have gone home disappointed after Valencia ran out rampant winners to stretch their unbeaten run to five.
Marta Peiro broke the deadlock after only four minutes and then the prolific Mari Paz Vilas doubled Las Che's advantage before the break. Claudia Zornoza effectively settled the contest right at the beginning of the second period and, although Patricia Larque saved a Carol Ferez penalty with a quarter of an hour to go, Ferez was not to be denied, adding extra gloss to the scoreline shortly afterwards.
Oiartzun gave themselves a massive boost to start off the second half of the campaign by overcoming Espanyol to claim their first win of the season, though the Catalans will have been left kicking themselves having spurned a string of chances.
Two defensive lapses after the interval tilted the balance in the Basque outfit's favour. First, on 70 minutes, Espanyol failed to clear a corner properly and, after Nerea Abancens had hooked the ball back into the danger area, Joana Arranz was on hand to side-foot home. Then, in the final 10 minutes, Carolina Gonzalez made sure of the points, being presented with an open goal following a mix-up between an Espanyol defender and goalie Miriam de Francisco Ramirez.
Albacete upset the champions in arguably the biggest shock of the weekend. Ali Muñoz put the home team ahead in the opening quarter of an hour and then Patricia Padilla doubled the scoreline eight minutes into the second half.
Although Athletic threatened a comeback when Nekane Diaz pulled one back, they were unable to get a second and Alba Redondo eased any nerves among the crowd by making it 3-1 in the dying stages.
UD Tacuense 0-1 Santa Teresa CD
Santa Teresa captain Estefania Lima's solitary strike 20 minutes from time secured the spoils for the visitors, taking them to within a whisker of the Copa de la Reina spots. Tacuense, on the other hand, remain winless and marooned at the bottom, five points from safety.
Sporting Huelva 0-2 Real Betis
Bea Parra did the damage as Betis ran out victorious in a keenly contested Andalusian derby, becoming just the second away team to win in Huelva this term after Barça.
The attacking midfielder struck once in each half to earn Maria Pry's charges a richly deserved fifth win of the season. The Sevillians snagged the bragging rights, therefore – at least temporarily, as Huelva still lie several places ahead of their regional rivals in the table and on course for Copa de la Reina qualification.
FC Barcelona 3-0 Granadilla Egatesa
After Atletico's exploits to get the matchday underway, the pressure was on Barcelona to win in order to stay within striking distance of the table-toppers.
The Catalans did what was required of them with the minimum of fuss, blowing Granadilla away before half-time. Vicky Losada opened the scoring inside the first 20 minutes, before Jenni Hermoso notched twice – including once from the penalty spot – to seal the deal and take Xavi Llorens's second-placed side back to within one point of Atleti.
© LALIGA - 2017