Rayo Vallecano 1-3 FC Barcelona: Winning start to Copa de la Reina defence

The champions have started their defence with a win. Barça have beaten Rayo Vallecano 3-1 to advance to the quarter finals of the Copa de Reina.

When the Catalans took the lead before many of the fans had even settled in their seats, one may have thought that this was going to be easy ride, but it was anything but.

Jennifer Hermoso’s opener after just three minutes certainly lifted the spirits in the Barça camp quickly, but they were soon lowered after Lieke Martens had to go off injured, and with Jana Fernández and Cata Coll also out, it meant a chance for winger Ona Baradad to feature.

The game went on to be a Barça monologue, but a fabulous save from Rayo keeper Yohana and Aitana hitting the crossbar (not for the last time in the match) meant there was no further scoring until seconds before half time, when Alexia headed in a Leila cross.

Leila had chances to score herself, but while she couldn’t succeed in that department, she certainly did when it came to setting up her teammates. A sensational assist for Jennifer Hermoso and that was Barça three goals up. 

A Paula Fernández penalty solely served as consolation for Rayo, and with youth players Molina, María Pérez and Martina getting runouts, Barça continued their perfect march through the 2021/22 season!

MATCH STATS

Rayo: Yohana Gómez, Ballesté, Pauleta, María Bores (Hayden, min. 84), Paula, Andújar (Esther Calderón, min. 84), Paula Fernández, Cabezas (Millene, min. 66), Pilar, Saez, Iris (Yanara Aedo, min. 73) & Freitas (Bulatović, min. 84)
Barça: Sandra Paños, Marta Torrejón, Pereira (Maria Molina, min. 46), Mapi León, Leila, Patri (Engen, 63), Aitana, Aleixa (Martina Fernández, min. 63), Baradad (María Pérez, min. 63), Martens (Claudia Pina, min. 19) & Jennifer Hermoso

Goals: 0-1, Jennifer Hermoso (min. 3); 0-2, Alexia Putellas (min. 42); 0-3, Jennifer Hermoso (min. 53); 1-3, Paula Fernández (penal) (min. 82)