In Barça's first game since the announcement of Aitana Bonmatí's prolonged absence due to injury, the team took all three points against Tenerife without being at their fluent best. The 2-0 victory was sealed by late goals from Pajor and Alexia and the game also saw the return of Esmee Brugts after injury to make here 100th appearance as a Barça player. 

Slow start 

Barça started the game dominating possession but found it difficult to break down a Tenerife side who sat back and defended as best they could. The visitors looked to strike on the counter when the opportunity presented itself. The most likely source of a goal from either side appeared to come from a set piece. Alexia and Graham Hansen worked a training ground move which failed to come off and Carla Julià went close with a shot from distance. It came as no surprise when the two wides went in at half time at 0-0. 

Pajor and Alexia decide contest

The second half followed the same script as the first: Barça having most of the game but Tenerife happy to soak up pressure and look for chances on the break. The visitors' keeper Cáceres made a couple of good saves as the half progressed as the blaugranes ramped up the pace of the game with the opening goal still eluding them. 

Mapi León and Brugts came on with just over a quarter of an hour to go and the game still goallless. However, before heads could drop, Ewa Pajor rounded off an excellent team move to make it 1-0 with 82 minutes gone. The relief in the Estadi Johan Cruyff was immense and with three minutes of normal time remaining, Alexia's excellent volley put the result beyond doubt. 

LA FICHA

BARÇA, 2
UD TENERIFE, 0

Barça: Cata Coll; Aïcha Camara, Marta Torrejón (Mapi, min 73), Irene Paredes, Carla Julià (Brugts, Min 72); Sydney Scherteneleib (Pina, Min 61), Clara Serrajordi (Laia Aleixandri, min 61), Alexia; Graham Hansen, Ewa Pajor (Fenger, Min, 90) Vicky López

Ud Tenerife: Nay Cáceres, Cinta (Dembele, Min 82), Paola (Iratxe, Min 46), Ouzraoui (Maria Jose, Min 77), Aleksandra, Castelló, Ramos, Clau Blanco, Elba, Patri Gavira, Gramaglia (Ari, Min 73)

Goals: 1-0, Pajor (Min 83); 2-0, Alexia (Min 87)

 

More news here