Madrid CFF 0-2 Barça: Winning start to league season

The first Liga F game of the season after matchday 1 was postponed ended Madrid CFF 0-2 FC Barcelona at the Estadio Fernando Torres. A notable match for captain Alexia Putellas who made her 400th appearance for the blaugranes. Summer signing Ona Battle made her competitive debut in the left back position.

Dominance from the off

The blaugranes were straight into the game, with Madrid CFF defending in a low block from the off. Albeit playing somewhat on the counterattack, the home side were insisting on playing out from the back.

With Alexia playing furthest forward in a central position, there was early joy for Barça from the flanks, first via a cross from Bronze, the header glanced wide by Alexia after 11 minutes, a pattern that continued throughout the game. A Graham Hansen corner on 22 minutes saw Engen also glance her header wide, before the winger crossed for Alexia to head over four minutes later.

The breakthrough came in the 40th minute when Graham Hansen helped in yet another cross, this time from the left by Pina, who was having a productive game with Battle on the left side for the visitors. Still time for another headed chance for Alexia before the break, half time score 0-1.

Win sealed in the second half

Madrid CFF came out more strongly after the break, but the first quality chance again fell to Alexia on 50 minutes, the captain very unfortunate to glance her header wide of the left post after a super cross from Aitana.

Zambian striker Kundananji cut a very lonely figure at times for the home side but battled bravely throughout as her side tried to progress the ball up the pitch. In one such move they lost the ball, leading to Patri stabbing a shot that hit the left upright before bouncing clear. Substitute Mariona then fired over on 71 minutes as did Aitana 10 minutes later as the game became more fractious as the blaugranes searched for a second goal.

The goal eventually came after a tremendous run down the left by Battle, who had a fine game and crowned it by skipping past two CFF Madrid players to cross for substitute Oshoala to slot the ball home and confirm the win on 84 minutes. A debut for new signing Esmee Brugts rounded off a good start to this season’s Liga F.