Barça Women 8 - 1 Real Sociedad: Lead over second extended
Superb win for Barça Women at Estadi Johan Cruyff. The game didn't look an easy task on paper, with Real Sociedad in great form and only three points behind the leaders coming into the game. The Basque team applied pressure from the whistle, but Barça took control with goals from Oshoala (x2), Rolfö, Martens (x2), Jenni Hermoso, Martens, Clàudia Pina, as well as an own goal by Torre, to complete a win that extends Barça's lead at the top of the table.
There was also a good show of support for Bruna Vilamala, who picked up a serious injury while playing for the Spanish U-23s earlier in the week. The starting eleven took to the field wearing shirts with the message 'Ànims, Bruna'.
Pre-match saw Sandra Paños recognised for her 200th match as an FC Barcelona player. The Club's women's team director, Xavier Puig, gave Paños a commemorative jersey featuring the number.
Early pressure from the away team
As was expected, Barça faced a tough rival who pressed from the off, making it difficult to play out from the back. The home side managed to take the lead, however, as Rolfö seized on a rebound from a corner to make it 1-0. Real Sociedad didn't down tools, though, as Franssi scored from distance to level the score. This emboldened the visitors who created the odd chance but Barça were well positioned to snuff out any threat.
Barça go on to dominate
The match swung in Barça's favour when Oshoala headed in the second in the 23rd minute, leading to many more chances to extend the lead, which finally came with another goal from Oshoala with the away keeper out of position. She now has 11 goals for the season.
Barça dominated after the break, with game being played at a less frenetic pace. Oshoala then turned provider for Martens, making it 4-1 after 62 minutes. Jenni Hermoso then got on the scoresheet three minutes later after an assist from Alexia.
The goals kept flowing when the unfortunate Torre scored an own goal while trying to clear. Martens then scored with three minutes to go - Barça's 50th goal of the season in only 8 Primera Iberdrola games. There was still time for Clàudia Pina to curl in a super strike to make it 8-1.
A resounding result taking Jonatan Giráldez' team to six points ahead of today's rivals in the table.
MATCH STATS
Barça Women, 8
Real Sociedad, 1
Barça: Paños, Marta, Paredes, Mapi León, Rolfö (Jenni Hermoso, min 59), Aitana (Crnogorcevic, min 78), Patri (Engen, min 78), Alexia, Graham (Leila, min 46), Oshoala (Pina, min 72) and Martens.
Real Sociedad: Adriana, Emma, Tejada, Torre, Nuria (Mirare, min 72), Gaby (Claudia Fernández, min 83), Arnaiz (Viles, min 90), Gemma, Amaiur (Izarne, min 72), Franssi and Eizaguirre.
Goals: 1-0, Rolfö (min 3). 1-1, Franssi (min 9). 2-1, Oshoala (min 23). 3-1, Oshoala (min 38). 4-1, Martens (min 62). 5-1, Jenni Hermoso (min 65). 6-1, Torre, own goal (min 84). 7-1, Martens (min 87). 8-1, Clàudia Pina (min 92).
Referee: Zulema González González. Emma and Gaby saw yellow for the visitors.
Attendance: 3549 fans in Estadi Johan Cruyff, the highest of the season.