Barça 1-3 Real Madrid: Setback in El Clásico
Nothing lasts for ever as they say, and today’s El Clásico at the Estadi Olímpic ended with a first win in 19 attempts for the visitors. Played in adverse weather conditions throughout, Barça ultimately went down 1-3 to Real Madrid.
A superb turnout of 35,812 spectators came ready to watch on in blustery conditions in the Catalan capital. Both sides saw changes to the starting line-ups, as this match between first and second in the Liga F came after both had midweek exertions in Europe.
Slow burner before visitors take lead
Real Madrid came out of the blocks quickly, with blaugrana keeper Coll having to smartly repel an in-swinging corner and a Møller low shot early on. Barça’s first attack came moments later, however, Graham Hansen with a trademark cut inside and curled shot that drifted just wide.
Sydney Schertenleib was rewarded with a start for recent fine performances – including a super goal in midweek against Wolfsburg – and she almost had another on 15 minutes, Graham Hansen again involved, laying off for the Swiss starlet to hit one first time from just inside the area, Misa reacting well to push her effort onto the cross bar.
Real Madrid were having joy down the flanks, particularly through Del Castillo and Feller, while Barça kept probing, with the best effort an Alexia shot from inside the box that Misa saved. A bit of a turning point in the match saw Graham Hansen go down in discomfort and when the game restarted, the ball ended up being recycled to Møller, who crossed in from left, and Redondo rose between the centre backs to head in over Coll to make it 0-1 (41 mins).
One last chance for the blaugranes in added time saw a great one-two between Aitana and Alexia end up in a cross for Graham Hansen, who couldn’t quite apply the finish at the far post. 0-1 at the break.
Graham Hansen levels but late goals seal win for the all-whites
Coach Pere Romeu brought on Jana and Salma at the break, and the attacking pressure grew for the blaugranes. Graham Hansen was always the danger for the home side, and her superb touch inside after a long ball saw her run and shot saved by Misa.
The rain was now falling heavily and the game became fractured for a period, with Del Castillo flashing a ball across the box for the visitors on 59 minutes. The blaugranes’ were now applying sustained pressure, with Aitana shooting wide of the right post on 66 minutes. The equaliser came a minute later, Graham Hansen getting the reward for her efforts as she headed in Mapi León’s perfect swirling left foot cross at the far post (1-1).
Real Madrid responded immediately, substitute Weir laying the ball off to the lively Del Castillo, who stung Coll’s palms to force a corner. Blaugrana substitute Jana was proving vital with blocks in her own box, and the defender actually put the ball in the net, but the referee ruled out the goal for offside much to the Catalans’ chagrin. With the heavens now truly open and hailstones raining down, their frustration was compounded when substitute Caicedo broke down the left, before cutting inside and laying off to the arriving Weir, who fired first time past Coll to put Real Madrid back in the lead (1-2, 87 min).
The blaugranes hunted the equaliser, forcing corners in added time, but it was the visitors who got the all-important next goal. It looked like the ball may not have gone over the line from Weir’s header (90+6 min), but the goal stood for a final score of 1-3.
A setback for the blaugranes, but let’s not forget this is only the second loss of the season in the Liga F and they are still four points ahead of today’s opponents. Next up, a return to the Estadi Johan Cruyff on 27 March for the Women’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Wolfsburg (kickoff 6.45pm CET).
MATCH STATS
Barça 1
Real Madrid 3
Barça: Cata Coll, Marta (Jana 46'), Paredes (Engen 83'), María León, Rolfö (Brugts 64'), Patri, Aitana, Alexia (Pina 83'), Graham, Pajor and Schertenleib (Paralluelo 46').
Real Madrid: Misa, Antonia (Sheila 80'), Méndez, Lakrar, Yasmim; Toletti, Angeldal, Athenea, Moller (Weir 61'), Feller (Carmona 69') and Redondo (Caicedo 61').
Goals: 0-1 Alba Redondo (min. 41), 1-1 Graham Hansen (min. 67), 1-2 Weir (min. 87), 1-3 Weir (min. 90+6).
Referee: Olatz Rivera. Yellow cards for Alexia and Jana.