Barça Women start 2020 with away win against Athletic

Barça Women return from Bilbao with three points to their name, thanks to a Sunday afternoon victory against Athletic Club at San Mamés. The Blaugrana won 0-3 in their first game of 2020, thanks to goals from Mariona and Oshoala (x2). The match took place in front of 32,068 spectators at San Mamés, and concluded a first half of the season in which the FC Barcelona side went unbeaten, with 13 victories and 1 draw.

One of the biggest clashes in the Primera Iberdrola season, the meeting between the two teams provided fireworks from the start. Martens and Alexia tested the Athletic goalkeeper early on, but the best chance of the opening period came from Aitana, who hit the woodwork with her shot.

Immediately after that attempt, Athletic's Maite Oroz chipped the ball wide, whilst Jenni Hermoso also came close to breaking the deadlock.

Mariona and Oshoala provide the points

The first goal of the contest would only come in the second half, but was well worth the wait. Mariona broke away from two defenders on a run through the middle, then smashed a shot into the top left corner that goalkeeper De la Nava was powerless to keep out.

Coach Lluís Cortés made changes, and the introductions of Oshoala and Hamraoui had a major impact on the second goal. A cross from the right was met by the Nigerian, who headed home. For goal number three, Oshoala hunted down a rebound off an Athletic defender, beat her marker and sent a rocket into the net.

Barça Women are on a run of 15 consecutive wins in all competitions, leading the league with 40 points. Their next game up is on Saturday, January 11 against Tacón away from home.

Match Stats

Athletic Club, 0
Barça, 3

Athletic Club: De la Nava, Moraza, Garazi, Damaris, Oroz, Unzué (Sierra, min 78), Lucía García, Erika Vázquez, Azkona (Nekane, min 65), Oihane (Eunate, min 78), Valdezate (Yulema, min 65).
Barça: Paños, María León, J. Hermoso, Marta, Mariona, Alexia (Hamraoui, min 69), Patri, Aitana (Candela, min 84), Leila (Melanie, min 89), A. Pereira, Martens (Oshoala, min 59).
Goals: 0-1, Mariona (min 64); 0-2, Oshoala (min 77); 0-3, Oshoala (min 86).
Referee: Martínez Martínez. Yellow cards for Marta (Barça), Oihane and Azkona (Athletic).
Attendance: 32,068