Women A v Rayo Vallecano: 2-1 lead for the return leg of the semis

Barça Woman’s A team got off to good start in the first leg of the semifinals of the Spanish Cup. Goals from Miriam and Alexia gave Xavi Llorens’ girls a 2-1 lead after the first leg of the semi finals, at home. 2-1 is only a small advantage for Barça, who know they will have to play very well in Madrid

Miriam opens the scoring

Rayo Vallecano started very bravely, on the attack from the first minute. The first chance came after 3 minutes from an attack down the right and a shot from Patricia that Rafols saved. Xavi Llorens’ girls tried to get around the back of the Rayo defence, who defended deeply, and closely marking Virginia, key to the Barça aspirations. Miriam had the first chance for the League Champions which Alicia parried, and Jenni just failed to score from the rebound.

The scoreboard didn’t move, although Barça kept trying, until the 35th when Miriam scored with a right foot shot from a Melanie cross from the left wing. The second goal came five minutes later from Alexia. Corredera went past Joyce and crossed from the right, where Alexia got behind the Rayo defence to score.

Tie is anybodys

Barça began the second half in control. Rayo Vallecano were badly affected by the two goals in the first half. Xavi Llorens’ girls created several chances to go three up. Willy started very dynamically, creating a lot of trouble down the left, and after cutting inside from the left, put a shot just wide of the far post.

Laura Torvisco’s girls didn’t give up though, and almost scored on 58 minutes, after a mistake in the Barça defence, but Barça keeper Rafols made a good save. Barça made the first substitution when Baudet came on for Willy, in a second half that was becoming very even. Rayo managed to reduce the difference on 75 minutes when Patricia Mascaro controlled a long ball from Sarai, with her chest, and scored with a crisp finish.

Looking for the third goal

Barca needed a third goal to be more comfortable in the return leg, and improve their chances of making the Spanish Cup Final. Xavi Llorens went looking for solutions and brought on Sandra, Garrote, and Gemma in the last twenty minutes. The Rayo and Barça women gave it everything until the final whistle but at 2-1 the tie is still very open, and all to play for over 90 minutes in Madrid