Barça 3-0 Atlético Madrid: Halfway there
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A win for FC Barcelona Women in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final. Today’s 3-0 victory against Atlético Madrid at the Butarque Municipal stadium in Leganes sees them through to the final on 26 January (kick-off 12.00pm CET), where they will play either Real Madrid or Real Sociedad – who play tomorrow – with this season’s first available trophy up for grabs.
Atlético compete well before Pina pounces
A great turn by Pina in midfield in just the first minute showed she was in the mood – a sign of things to come – and the swarm of Atlético players around her provided clear evidence for their approach in the game.
The first real chance for the blaugranes came when Pajor was put through after six minutes, but Larqué saved. The Madrid side were defending well, smothering the midfield area, and counterattacking through transitions, with Nigerian forward Ajibade posing their biggest threat in the first half an hour of the match, shooting over when well placed.
The Barça pressure was building, though, with Walsh directing proceedings, and more use being made of the wings through Paralluelo and Brugts. The latter had a good shot with her right from the inside left channel, but the Atlético keeper palmed it away. Paralluelo later slid a cross from the right that found Pajor, but Xènia blocked her shot well.
The breakthrough finally came just before half-time, Pina cutting in from the left to score superbly, her curling right foot effort from just outside the area finding the top right corner. Half-time score 1-0.
Pina punishes once again
Needing to score to stay in the Super Cup, Atlético pushed up the pitch, pressing the blaugranes higher, and they had to some joy at the start of the second half despite not finding the net.
Having weathered the early storm, Barça started to turn the screw. Paralluelo tested Larqué from distance after 60 minutes, before an Alexia shot was deflected wide a couple of minutes later.
Coach Pere Romeu sent on strong substitutes in Graham Hansen and Aitana shortly after, and both were straight into the action, the midfielder putting in the winger whose cross caused mayhem in the box. Further second half changes reinforced the blaugranes’ growing control, and the vital second goal came, Pina again, completing her brace with a tremendous half-volley across the keeper from the left side of the area after a headed clearance fell to her.
A goal in added time by Graham Hansen put the gloss on a thoroughly professional performance against a resilient Atlético Madrid side. The blaugranes are halfway there to winning their first trophy of the season.
Match stats
Barça 3
Atlético Madrid 0
Barça: Cata Coll, Batlle, Paredes, María León, Brugts, Patri, Aitana, Alexia, Paralluelo, Pajor, Pina.
Atlético Madrid: Larqué, Moraza, Xènia, Lauren Leal, Lloris, Medina, Ajibade, Boe Risa, Gaby, Tatiana, Gio.
Goals: Pina (min. 44, 73), Graham Hansen (min. 90+2)
Referee: Eugenia Gil Soriano. Yellow cards shown to Gio Queiroz and Ajibade from Atlético Madrid.
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