A big win for FC Barcelona Women as they defeated Valencia CF 6-0 in a midweek game that fulfilled the postponed matchday 1 fixture. The Estadi Johan Cruyff was filled with fans once again who were treated to a great game of football after Alexia Putellas was honoured with a jersey after recently achieving the milestone of 400 competitive games for the Club.
Coach Jonatan Giráldez has made full use of his squad in recent matches and made six changes from the last Liga F win against Sporting Huelva, with Putellas, Bonmatí, Graham Hansen all returning to the starting line up.
Pressure forces own goals
With Alexia starting nominally as a false nine and a very fluid attacking structure, the blaugranes immediately took control of the game, smothering any attempts by the visitors to break away.
After early attempts by Mariona, Patri, and a Graham Hansen shot that hit the post, the pressure told as a poor clearance was crossed in by Graham Hansen for Claudia Florentino to put into her own goal in the 9th minute. Just 12 minutes later, the same player was very unfortunate to loop up a clearance from another Graham Hansen cross to score a second own goal.
The blaugranes were camped in Valencia's half and despite several other chances, the next goal didn't come until just before half-time, when Graham Hansen swung in a free kick from the right and Aitana headed past Marcuello in the Valencia goal after 43 minutes. There was still time for Marta to hit the frame of the goal but score at halftime remained 3-0.
More of the same in the second half
Clearly looking to press home their dominance, Barça kept firing in the attempts, Alexia having a good shot parried away. Valencia didn't have their first shot in anger until the 55th minute, before yet another Alexia shot was tipped over. The resulting corner was played short and substitute Mapi León swung a ball in from the right that evaded everyone and went into the net for 4-0 (61 minutes).
Alexia clearly wanted her goal, which she achieved from the penalty spot after a Brugts cross was handled, dispatching a left foot shot curling away from the keeper's dive for 5-0 after 63 minutes.
There was still more to come as Marta Torrejón scored a wonderful right foot howitzer of a free kick that rebounded off the bar and into the net to round off a wonderful win to delight of the home fans.
GAME STATS
Barça, 6
Valencia, 0
Barça: Paños; Torrejón, Paredes, Jana (Engen, min. 59), Ona Batlle; Aitana, Patri (Mapi, min. 59), Alexia (Bruna, min. 74); Graham Hansen (Pina, min.59), Mariona, Brugts (Oshoala, min. 73).
Valencia: Enith; López (Tamarit, min. 72), Molina, Florentino, Kerlly; Pauleta, Carro (Ainhoa, min. 76), Serna; Fiamma (Asun, min. 46), Portales (Anita, min. 61), Martí (Chacón, min. 46).
Goals: 1-0, Claudia Florentino (pp) (min. 9); 2-0, Claudia Florentino (pp) (min. 21); 3-0, Aitana (min. 43); 4-0, Mapi (min. 61); 5-0, Alexia (min. 63); 6-0, Marta Torrejón (min. 74)
Referee: Paola Cebollada López. Yellow card for Chacón from Valencia.
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