Primera Iberdrola Week 9 Round Up: Real Sociedad bounces back as Atlético Madrid falter

Real Sociedad kept the pressure on Barcelona at the top of the standings with a 4-0 win over ten women Real Betis on Saturday. They opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute from the penalty spot through the boot of Nerea Eizagirre who doubled the lead in the 23rd minute. They extended their lead to three goals in the 25th minute through Gemma Gili and rounded off the scoring in the second period through Iris Arnaiz in the 57th minute. Real Betis were reduced to 10 women a minute before the break after Grace Asantewaa was shown her second yellow card. Sociedad maintained their second position after the win as Betis dropped to ninth.

Nine wins from the opening nine matches after a win over Eibar on Saturday saw Barcelona maintain their grip at the top of the log standings. They made their statement known as they ran riot in the first half scoring three goals in the process. They opened the scoring in the 20th minute through defender Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic and followed it up with other two goals in the 24th and 39th minutes through Asisat Oshoala and Jennifer Hermoso respectively. Lieke Martens continued with her fine form from the previous week as she weighed in with two assists as Oshoala took her tally to 11 goals for the season.

Levante wins as Madrid clubs had mixed fortunes

Levante kept their push for the Champions League spot alive after winning 3-2 away to Athletic Club on Saturday. The visitors found themselves trailing at half time but turned on the heat in the second half and were rewarded with two goals to collect maximum points on the road. Athletic Club opened the scoring as early as two minutes through Lucia Garcia and Levante hit back in the 17th minute through Giovana Queiroz. The visitors conceded a penalty which was converted by Garazi Murua in the 27th minute. Levante got the equaliser in the 69th minute through Leire Banos before Athletic Club were reduced to 10 women in the 83rd minute when Oihane Valdezate was shown a straight red card. Sandie Toletti gave the visitors the winning goal in the 85th minute and there was no coming back for the home side.

Madrid CFF and Real Madrid won on Saturday as Atletico Madrid were held by struggling Valencia on Sunday. Real Madrid edged Rayo Vallecano through an Esther Gonzalez strike in the 54th minute. Villarreal continued to struggle as they lost at home to Madrid CFF. The visitors got their goals through a Silvia Rubio Alvarez brace in the 36th and 78th minute before in-form Geyse Ferreira scored the third goal in the 86th minute to take her season tally to 9 goals. The win saw the visitors move to sixth place on the log standings. Villarreal have lost their last five matches and remain anchored at the bottom of the log. In the other match on Sunday, Atletico Madrid thought they were on course to collect maximum points after taking an early lead in the 11th minute through Thembi Kgatlana but Valencia hit back in the 35th minute through Marta Carro. Inconsistency has characterised Atletico Madrid’s campaign this season and this has cost them points in the process.

Unbeaten run for Granadilla Tenerife as Huelva continue to struggle

Granadilla Tenerife has gone five games unbeaten in the campaign after winning away to Sporting Huelva on Saturday. The win moved them to tenth position on the log standings. The visitors opened the scoring through Maria Jose Perez Gonzalez in the 28th minute. They came back in the second half determined to collect maximum points but had to work hard for them as they finally managed to get two late goals through Cristina Martin-Prieto Gutierrez in the 75th minute and Beattie Goad in the 86th minute. The loss meant Huelva remained on five points after round 9 matches and left them still in danger. The last match on Saturday saw Sevilla edge Alaves with a late Elisa del Estal Mateu goal in the 86th minute. The loss derailed the home side’s fight for Champions League spot as a win would have moved them to fifth but they find themselves drop to seventh as Madrid CFF moved above them.

Results (Saturday): Eibar 0-3 Barcelona; Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano; Sporting Huelva 0-3 Granadilla Tenerife; Villarreal 0-3 Madrid CFF; Athletic Club 2-3 Levante; Real Sociedad 4-0 Real Betis; Sevilla 1-0 Alavés.

Results (Sunday): Valencia 1-1 Atlético Madrid

Photo by Aintxein, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons