Barça Women - Athletic Club: Three vital points at the Miniestadi (2-1)

Goals from Martens and Alexia earned Barça Women three vital Liga Iberdrola points over Athletic Club (2-1), in a match that was competitive right up until the last stretch of the game. 

The match started with the Catalans taking the initiative in attack, but the Basques were more than capable in defence. Thanks to the speed of Martens on the far left, Lluís Cortés' side had the first chances of the game, and when they weren't taken, Athletic began to exert some pressure of their own thanks to a magnificent high press that disrupted the hosts time and again. 

Right place, right time

With half-time approaching, some wonderful play involving Vicky Losada saw the ball played wide for Marta Torrejón. Her pinpoint cross found Martens in the right place at the right time and she made no mistake to hand the Blaugranes the lead. 

The second-half began in much the same way as the first, and Martens almost doubled her tally with a powerful header, saved by Leguina. Finally, the pressure told and Alexia gave Barça some breathing space (min 65). From that point on, the hosts had full control, though an injury time consolation from Lucía would dampen the mood.

MATCH DETAILS

Barça Women, 2
Athletic Club, 1

Barça Women: Paños, María León, Losada, Marta Torrejón, Mariona (Andonova, min 82), Alexia (Aitana, min 71), Leila, Duggan (Andressa Alves, min 56), Pereira, Hamraoui and Martens (Candela, min 87).

Athletic Club: Leguina, Sierra, Moraza (Cirauqui, min 71), Ainhoa, Damaris, Nekane (Erika, min 70), Eunate, Unzué (Jone, min 77), García, Marta (Leia, min 66) and Gimbert.

Goals: 1-0, Martens (min 40); 2-0, Alexia (min 65); 2-1, Lucía (min 92).

Official: Paola Cebollada

Attendance: 1,288 spectators at the Miniestadi