Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas 0-6 Barça Women: Closer to the title

Barça Women went into matchday 23 of the league season with a clear objective - win against Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas, while hoping for a draw between Atlético Madrid and Granadilla, and a loss for Real Sociedad against Eibar - in order to be crowned LaLiga champions. Jonatan Giráldez' team did what they could and more, with a resounding 0-6 victory, playing some sparkling football at times to boot.

However, despite the goal-fest, both Real Sociedad and Atlético Madrid came from behind to win, meaning it is all set up for the home game next week against Real Madrid at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, with the chance to celebrate the title with the home fans.

Attacking intent

Barça were clearly intent on scoring goals at the Ciudad Deportiva. Just 10 minutes in, Claudia Pina's deft touch inside the box from a Rolfö cross from the left opened the scoring (1-0, min. 13). Alavés tried to apply the pressure, with some success, but it wasn't long before goalscorer turned provider, Rolfö this time finishing Pina's lay off to the left after some nifty footwork (0-2, min. 29).

The away side clearly wanted to make sure of the result early on, pushing back the home side towards their area with some neat combination play. The third goal came from a corner - again from the left - Norwegian international Engen looping in a great header from the far post (0-3, min 33.). The fourth goal came quickly, Ona Baradad chipping the keeper from inside the penalty area for her first Barça goal (0-4, min. 35). The only negative from the first half saw yet another injury beset Barça, with Leila Ouahabi substituted by Melanie Serrano on her return from maternity leave.

Claudia Pina running riot

The second half belonged to Claudia Pina. Clearly hungry for more - even after a goal and two assists in the first half - the Catalan player went on to seal her hat-trick in the second half. After Caroline Graham-Hansen made a welcome return, Barça's number 6 took an early shot from the edge of the area, stunning the stubborn Cornejo in the Alavés goal, the ball crashing in off the crossbar. Warm appreciation was heard around the ground, it was such a superb goal. It wasn't long before Claudia Pina completed her hat-trick finishing off a cross from the right (0-6, min. 73), again inside the box.

Barça continued to push for more, but the final score ended 0-6 and after both the late comeback win for Real Sociedad and more comfortable win for Atlético Madrid, everything is set up for the clásico next Sunday against Real Madrid, with the chance to celebrate a title win with the home fans.

Match stats:

Alavés, 0

Barça, 6

Alavés: Cornejo, Majarín, Gastearana (Armengol, min. 83), Urruzola, Soliveras (Clark, min. 63), Aznar (Miku Ito, min. 74), Facila, Dieguez, Chamorro (Ane Mire, min. 74), Carrillo (Mery, min. 62), Martínez.

Barça: Gemma, Mapi León (María Pérez, min. 81), Pina, Torrejón, Alexia, Patri, Leila (Melanie Serrano, min. 38), Rolfö (Jenni Hermoso, min. 58), Pereira (Aitana Bonmatí, min. 60), Engen, Ona.

Goals: 0-1, Claudia Pina (min. 13); 0-2, Rolfö (min. 29); 0-3, Engen (min. 33); 0-4, Ona Baradad (min. 35); 0-5, Claudia Pina (min. 66); 0-6, Claudia Pina (min. 73).

Referee: Elana Peláez Arnillas. Yellow cards for Gaste from Alavés and Melanie Serrano from Barça.