Athletic Club v FC Barcelona: Important away victory (1-2)

Barça Women secure an excellent 2-1 victory against Athletic Club. The blaugranas travelled to a very difficult away ground and started excellently with goals from Martens and Mariona. The home side responded with a goal of their own before the break and, in the second half, there were lots of chances for both sides.

Barça Women started the match at Lezama with intent and Martens managed to finish the blaugranas’ first attacking move. The Dutch player starred in an individual move along the left wing which saw her go past a defender, cut inside and rifle in at the near post to make it 1-0. The goal gave Barça confidence and they pushed for a second.

However, Athletic Club were dangerous themselves and Eunate went close from a free kick. Fran Sánchez’s team responded with an effort from Natassa Andonova, who shot wide from the edge of the box following a pass from Martens.

The Dutch player had a go herself as she took control of the match. Her effort went wide but shortly after she won a penalty which Mariona tucked away to make it 2-0 to the blaugranas. Two minutes later the home side had halved the deficit as Cirauqui finished well from a dangerous cross. That goal was the first the blaugranas had condeded in the league and the Women's Champions League. 

Open second half

The second half saw both teams have plenty of opportunities in an entertaining and open match. Athletic had three chances to level the scores which were thwarted by some good defending and an excellent display from Sandra Paños in goal. Barça also looked threatening with Alexia’s shot being saved and Andressa Alves’ point-blank effort being scrambled wide.

Despite the chances for both teams, the blaugranas controlled possession and they managed to secure the win against Athletic Club at one of the toughest grounds in the league. This means Barça Women maintain their perfect start in the league with five wins from five. Their next match is on Wednesday at the Miniestadi against Avaldsnes in the Women’s Champions League in which they will seek to defend their 4-0 win in the first leg.