WOMEN'S GAMPER: FC Barcelona 2-0 AC Milan
A packed Estadi Johan Cruyff got to enjoy the Gamper Trophy on Friday night, and like the three previous editions, the outcome was a Barça victory. But this was a narrower scoreline than usual, with AC Milan proving a stubborn opponent to break down, and the second goal not coming until the final minutes of a game enjoyed by 5,500 very lively supporters.
Pajor on target
Pere Romeu's side were not treating this game like a friendly, and they powered forward in search of an opening goal that finally came in the 17th minutes. Graham Hansen created a wealth of goals last season and clearly intends to continue in the same vein, supplying the assist for tonight's main attraction, new Polish signing Ewa Pajor to head in a lovely finish.
What a preseason she's having, after netting once against Hoffeneim and twice against Montpelliier.
Barça couldn't add to the score in the first half but it wasn't for want of trying, with eight shots on goal, and three on target, compared to none at all for their Milanese guests.
Alexia at last
The second half brought more of the same. A constant barrage on the visiting goal but the second goal just did not want to come. Graham hit the post and Celia Segura had a goal disallowed for a nonexistent offside.
Justice was finally served in the 83rd minute and in spectacular fashion. An absolute peach of a goal from Alexia who spotted the opposing keeper off her line and scored from a tremendous distance. We won't see many goals as fine as that one this season. An absolute corker to seal a 2-0 victory ahead of what promises to be a fascinating US Tour prior to the start of official fixtures.
MATCH STATS
BARÇA, 2
AC MILAN, 0
Barça: Gemma Font; Marta Torrejón (Martina, min. 77), Jana Fernández (Engen, min. 64), Mapi León (Szymack, min. 77), Schertenleib (Vicky López, min. 46); Alba Caño (Serrajordi, min. 77), Keira Walsh, Claudia Pina (Segura, min. 64); Caroline Graham Hansen (Kika, min. 64) , Ewa Pajor, Esmee Brugts
AC Milan: Giulani; Koivisto, Swaby, Piga, Soffia (Solleri, min. 67); Mascarello (Silvia Rubio, min. 46), Mesjasz, Ijeh;: Marinelli (Stokic, min. 67), Sevenius y Dompig
Goals: 1-0, Ewa Pajor (min. 17); 2-0, Alexia (min. 90)
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