Levante 0-4 Barça: Leaders come through a tough test
The perfect winning run in LaLiga F continues for Barça after a 0-4 defeat of third-placed Levante. The scoreline suggests this may have been an easy game, but Levante gave as good as they got.
Aitana grabbed a brace, before late goals by Pina and Rolfö sealed the win to make it 21 wins in 21 games in the league.
Aitana breaks the deadlock
Both Barça and Levante fielded strong sides to befit the occasion, coach Jonatan Giráldez mindful of the tough game at home in the reverse fixture. Barça wore gold and were captained by an in-form Graham Hansen who looked dangerous from the off.
The Levante defence were looking solid, but Aitana broke the deadlock, finishing a great Paralluelo pass after a lovely team move to make it 0-1. The home side immediately stepped up the pace and created the best chances before the break, Sandra Paños heroically denying Alba Redondo. Halftime score, 0-1.
Storm weathered before coasting home
Levante flew out of the blocks after the break, with Ramirez looking a threat and the league's joint top scorer Redondo again coming up against Paños and the Barça defence, who stood firm. The pressure was mounting and coach Jonatan Giráldez brought on Geyse, who pressed the Levante defence before finding the onrushing Aitana Bonmatí to finish through the legs of Peng (0-2, min. 77) for breathing space.
The final ten minutes were managed well by Barça, with Levante seeming to run out of ideas. Substitute Clàudia Pina finished a one-on-one to make it 0-3 before Rolfö drilled a cross shot inside the far post in added time to add gloss to the scoreline. Final score 0-4.
GAME STATS
Levante, 0
Barça, 4
Levante: Peng, Mendoza, M. Méndez, Antonia Silva (Alharilla, min 82), P. Fernández, M. Ramírez (Julia Aguado, min. 80), Andonova, Redondo, Tatiana (Erika, min.72), Leire (Diallo, min. 82), Paula T.
Barça: Paños, Paredes, Mapi (Torrejón, min. 83), Graham (Crnogorcevic, min. 83), Patri (Pina, 75), Aitana, Bronze, Rolfö, Paralluelo (Engen, min. 75), Oshoala (Geyse, min. 63), Walsh.
Goals: 0-1, Aitana (min. 29); 0-2, Aitana (min. 77); 0-3, Pina (min. 87); 0-4, Rolfö (min. 94)
Referee team: Zulema González, Rocío Puente and Lorena Novas. Yellow cards for Oshoala and Mapi from Barça.