FC Barcelona 4-1 Valencia: Alexia leads the way

Back to the Liga F for FC Barcelona Women after the semifinal first leg win over Real Madrid in the Copa de la Reina. This 4-1 home win against Valencia made it now 100 games played at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. Before the game, a minute's silence was held in memory of men's first team doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia, who sadly passed away on Saturday.

The quick turnaround in games saw coach Pere Romeu rotate his squad, with only Paredes and Pajor remaining from the Copa starting line-up on Thursday. Captain Alexia returned after time on the sidelines, and she went on to score and assist in the win, with Kika, Pajor, and Aitana notching the other goals.

Valencia take early lead but Barça hit back

A lively start to the game from both sides saw Pajor have the first chance, her lob over the keeper hitting the woodwork and bouncing clear. Valencia had a definite game plan to counter when possible, and Marina Martí was providing a good outlet on the right, her shot being turned on to the bar by Gemma Font in a sign of things to come.

The blaugranes were pushing for the opener themselves and Engen volleyed over three minutes later after a great cross from the right. First blood to the visitors, though, as Browne held up the ball well before releasing Martí, whose goal bound shot was diverted over Font's dive by Paredes' head (0-1, 15 min).

The setback seemed to simply spur on the Catalans, and up stepped the returning Alexia to level the game just minutes later, seizing on a loose ball in the box (1-1, 18 min). The captain was clearly in the mood, and her one-two with the lively Kika saw the Portuguese player make it 1-2 (22 min). Another Alexia shot was later parried away well, but the scoreline remained unchanged at the break.

Victory confirmed

Valencia stuck to their game plan in the second half, but the blaugranes got stronger as the game went on. Rolfö raided down the left and cut the ball back for Kika, who curled a shot just wide. Alexia still had more to say in the game, first with an audacious long shot that dropped just over the net, and then a nutmeg on the byeline saw a resulting shot saved off the line.

Another goal seemed to be coming, and who else but Pajor, the striker snaffling up a loose ball in the box to score her 17th goal in 21 league games (66 min). Substitute Aitana also had a long shot saved, but she was to get her goal close to the final whistle, Rolfö again crossing from the left, and the Catalan midfielder cushioning the ball before scoring a lovely half volley into the right side of the goal. Final score 4-1.

A good win and another three Liga F points on a day with activities to reaffirm the commitment to equality on International Women's Day. Next up for the blaugranes, the Copa de la Reina return leg against Real Madrid on 12 March (7.00pm CET), again at Estadi Johan Cruyff.

MATCH STATS

Barça 4
Valencia 1

Barça: Gemma, Paredes, Jana, Marta (Mapi León, min 46), Alexia (Patri, min 71), Rolfö, Pajor (Salma, min 71), Kika (Pina, min 62), Vicky, Engen and Schertenleib (Aitana, min 62)
Valencia: Canales, Simon, Florentino (Hanane, min 73), Marques, Tamarit, M. Carro, Yasmin, Aida (Emma, min 54), M. Martí (Kerlly Real, min 65), Ali (Paula Sancho, min 54) and Browne (Ezekiel Motunrayo, min 73)

Goals: 0-1, Marina Martí (min 15); 1-1, Alexia (min 18); 2-1, Kika (min 22); 3-1, Pajor (min 66); 4-1, Aitana (min 89)

Referee: Cuesta Arribas. Yellow card for Simon (min 68) from Valencia.