FC Barcelona 2-0 RCD Espanyol: Cup derby victory

FC Barcelona 2-0 RCD Espanyol: Cup derby victory

First half goals from Alexia and Duggan ensure passage to the quarter final of the Copa de la Reina at the expense of city rivals

FC Barcelona are into the quarter finals of the Copa de la Reina, the women’s equivalent of the Copa del Rey, after beating RCD Espanyol in a derby that was decided in the first half.

Alexia Putellas (15) and Toni Duggan (29) scored the goals that booked a ticket into the second round of the domestic cup competition. But it was a strong all-round performance from the team, who looked in control of the proceedings from start to finish and could easily have won by an even wider margin against the side currently ninth in the first division.

It was a derby, and that always adds to the motivation. Alexia’s goal came off a strike from Hamraoui, which she rebounded into the net, while the England international latched onto a Mariajo clearance to stick the second into an empty net.

The second half was an onslaught in search of further goals, and Andressa Alvesand Duggan in particular had nice chances that went begging, mainly thanks to some top goalkeeping from Mariajo.

Not once did the blaugrana girls relax, and kept picking away for a third right until the end, when Alexia sent a long drive onto the post in the dying seconds.

MATCH STATS

FC Barcelona: Paños, Van der Gragt (Marta, min 26), María León, Melanie (Leila, min 60), Demma Gili, Andressa Alves (Candela, min 60), Alexia, Patri, Aitana (Bárbara, min 80), Duggan, Hamraoui.

RCD Espanyol: Mariajo, Esther Solà, Berta Pujades (Paula Moreno, min 45), Inés, Leti, Brenda, Elena Julve, Dulce María (Eli del Estal, min 45), Paloma, Alvarado, Elba.

Goals: 1-0, Alexia (min 15), 2-0, Duggan (min 29).

Attendance: 1,076 at the Miniestadi

Força Barça
Força Barça

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