News
DOM 08.01.2017
Real Sociedad 0-1 Atletico Madrid
It may be a new year, but some things haven't changed. Not least Sonia Bermudez's unerring eye for goal. The attacker, the Liga Iberdrola's top scorer, found the net again to secure three big points for her team, who started 2017 as they left off in 2016 – with victory.
An ambitious Real Sociedad side did not make it easy for the league leaders, giving as good as they got, but Atletico were simply too strong, producing an accomplished all-round performance from the word go.
Despite two warning shots from Esther Gonzalez in the opening exchanges, both of which were easily dealt with by goalkeeper Maria Asuncion Quiñones, the hosts did not learn their lesson and the third chance was the charm for the visitors. Bermudez made no mistake to fire the Rojiblancas into the lead.
Although the Madrilenians pushed to add to their advantage after the interval, a second goal proved elusive. Nevertheless, Angel Villacampa's troops calmly saw the game out to seal an important victory that keeps them in pole position.
F. Albacete 0-2 Real Betis
Visiting custodian Miriam stole the show in Albacete, pulling off a number of saves to help her side to an impressive away win.
Betis took to the pitch clearly determined to get something out of this encounter against direct rivals in the bottom half of the table. And it wasn't long before Maria Pry's team had forged ahead, with their leading scorer, Paula Moreno, notching up her 10th goal of the season after just nine minutes.
The visitors were firmly on the front foot in the first half and they pressed home their advantage through Claudia Roldan in the 26th minute, meaning they headed into the dressing room 2-0 to the good at half-time.
It was a more evenly matched second half at the Andres Iniesta Training Ground and Albacete had several opportunities to cut the deficit, only to be denied by an inspired Miriam, who ensured that Betis bagged the three points and a clean sheet to boot. The Andalusians continue to showcase their quality in their debut campaign in the top flight.
Sporting Huelva 3-2 UD Tacuense
The fans in Huelva were treated to some super football in what was a proverbial game of two halves that saw the visitors fall just short of an epic comeback.
The match began on a high note for the hosts in the shape of the return of home-grown goalkeeper Sara Serrat, who took her place between the sticks again after an 11-month injury layoff, and they promptly raced into a 3-0 lead. After Cristina Martin-Prieto had broken the deadlock with a fine goal, Laura Rus struck a brace to put her side in a commanding position.
However, Tacuense did not throw in the towel and they came mighty close to snatching a share of the spoils thanks to a storming second-half effort. After Patricia Ojeda had reduced the arrears, Estela Jaramillo netted in the 90th minute to set up a grandstand finish, but there was to be no further late drama and Huelva held on for a 3-2 win.
Zaragoza CFF 2-2 Oiartzun KE
The Basques were on the brink of going away with maximum points, but were forced to settle for just one after Zaragoza twice battled back on home turf.
Oiartzun began the game seemingly hell-bent on making a positive start to the year, immediately going on the offensive and duly carving out a number of early chances. Eventually their pressure told as Carolina Gonzalez opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, sending the travelling supporters into raptures.
Alberto Berna's charges have shown themselves to be a tough nut to crack this term, though, and the hosts weren't prepared to give up on this one just yet. Indeed, the Aragonese outfit restored parity soon after the restart courtesy of Marta Cardona's 54th-minute equaliser.
The home side's joy was short-lived, however, as Ane Perez hit back to restore the visitors' lead. In a blow to Zaragoza's chances, Minori Chiba was forced off, but with the 90 minutes up, Gloria Villamayor struck to salvage a point.
Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Valencia CF
These two sides served up a pulsating encounter, the outcome of which was only decided in the dying stages. It should come as very little surprise that the match-winner was none other than Mari Paz Vilas, who did what she does best, pouncing in the 89th minute to clinch three precious points for Las Che.
A flutter of chances came and went at both ends in an even first 45, with neither team able to get their noses in front, although Christiane Endler had to be at her best to prevent the Madrilenians from taking the lead shortly before the interval.
The second period turned out to be an altogether different affair, as the visitors asserted themselves and went on to dominate proceedings, with Maripaz proving a constant thorn in the hosts' defence's side.
The forward's tenacity was rewarded when she fired home a last-gasp winner to see Valencia edge out a Rayo team that gave every last ounce but ultimately came up just short.
RCD Espanyol 1-1 Athletic Club
Las Leonas failed to get the better of an Espanyol outfit that, on this evidence, look intent on putting a lacklustre first half of the campaign firmly behind them to surge up the standings in 2017. The champions ended the year with an emphatic 4-0 triumph over Zaragoza, but they wouldn't have things all their own way in their first outing of 2017, as Las Pericas gave an excellent account of themselves at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque.
The visitors went ahead when leading scorer Yulema Corres continued where she left off from last year to once again get her name on the scoresheet. After the break, Cristina Baudet stepped up to convert from the spot to secure a point which will do wonders for the Catalans' confidence.
Granadilla Egatesa 1-0 Santa Teresa CD
It would certainly seem as if Paloma Lazaro has acquired a taste for goalscoring. After netting last time out, the Granadilla forward repeated the trick again here and quite some goal it was too!
Lazaro's stunning strike proved to be the difference between the sides as the islanders go marching on in their quest to seal a Copa de la Reina spot. Sitting pretty in sixth, Tony Ayala's side once again showed their worth here.
In what was an evenly matched encounter, it was the hosts who enjoyed the bulk of the clear-cut chances. Indeed, they could have added to their advantage in the closing stages, but ultimately Lazaro's solitary goal was enough to see the points remain in Tenerife.
FC Barcelona 4-0 Levante UD
Barcelona and Levante brought the curtain down on the Matchday 15 action and this top-of-the-table clash certainly didn't disappoint. Whilst Las Azulgranas ended up running out comfortable winners, Xavi Llorens's side were forced to wait until well into the second half to assure themselves of victory.
Although the Catalans enjoyed the lion's share of the possession and chances, they went in just one goal to the good following a tight opening 45 minutes. Andressa Alves it was who made the breakthrough, as the Brazilian claimed her third goal in as many games.
There was no change to the scoreline until 25 minutes into the second period, when the floodgates began to open. Barbara Latorre doubled the hosts' advantage on 70' and Jenni Hermoso put the result beyond doubt just four minutes later, before Koko Ange N'Guessan completed the rout on 76'.
© LALIGA - 2017