Liga F round-up: Valencia and Levante share derby spoils as Atlético move into UWCL spots | OneFootball

Two relegation-threatened rivals, Valencia and Levante, had to settle for a 1-1 draw in Saturday’s derby at Mestalla. At the top of the table, Barcelona and Real Madrid picked up maximum points on match-day 20 of the Liga F season. Atlético Madrid also enjoyed a strong day out as they moved into the Liga F top three.

Here, we will round up all the Liga F action from the weekend.

Real Betis 1-3 Granada

Granada had to come from behind to take all three points off fellow Andalusian side Real Betis. María Ruíz drove the ball in off the far post to give the home side a 16th-minute lead. Paula Arana produced the Granada response, tucking the ball home from the penalty spot following a handball infringement.

After going into the break on level terms, Granada turned the game in their favour in the second period. Laura Requena found the net in the 72nd minute to give the visitors a precious lead. A Carla Armengol own goal made sure of the three points, moving Granada to within four points of the top three. As for Betis, they are languishing in 14th place with a four-point gap to the bottom two.

Valencia 1-1 Levante

Two local rivals played out a draw in Saturday’s derby clash between the bottom two in Liga F. Érika González opened the scoring in the opening stages of the second period, cutting in on her right before lifting the ball over Antonia Canales and in at the far post. The hosts were given a boost when Eva Alonso was shown a second yellow card.

Valencia ultimately made the most of the numerical advantage, restoring parity through Marta Carro. The 34-year-old headed home from a corner to give the supporters at Mestalla a goal to celebrate. In truth, the draw does little for either side, especially for Valencia, who are languishing at the bottom of the table with 10 points separating them from safety. Meanwhile, Levante are four points adrift of 14th-placed Real Betis with 10 games left to play.

Espanyol 1-1 Deportivo La Coruña

Espanyol played out a goalless first half with Dépor, before they found the breakthrough within two minutes of the restart. Júlia Guerra found the net in bizarre fashion, thumping a long ball forward from the centre-circle, before seeing it bounce over Inês Pereira and into the net. However, the home side’s joy soon turned to frustration when Ainoa Campo was dismissed for two bookable offences. Ten-player Espanyol held on until Dépor’s Francisca Lara tapped home from a rebound in the 83rd minute to salvage a point for her side.

Athletic Club 1-2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid successfully negotiated a tricky test against European hopefuls Athletic Club at San Mamés. Nahikari García was given the chance to go to the penalty spot when Athenea del Castillo was penalised for a clumsy foul. The former Real Madrid forward kept her composure to send Misa the wrong way from 12 yards. After being pushed onto the back foot, Las Blancas managed to produce a response before the half-time whistle.

Maëlle Lakrar guided the ball home from close range after Signe Bruun had flicked on a near-post corner. The visitors completed the turnaround in the 80th minute courtesy of Olga Carmona’s spectacular effort. The World Cup winner sent her long-range effort soaring over the back-peddling Adriana Nanclares and into the net. The win keeps Real Madrid five points behind Barcelona, while Athletic are now two points adrift of the top three.

Costa Adeje Tenerife 1-1 Levante Badalona

Seventh-placed Costa Adeje Tenerife’s surprise European bid suffered a setback in Sunday’s home meeting with Levante Badalona. Estefanía Banini produced a stunning effort to give the visitors a half-time lead. The Argentine evaded a couple of defenders to cut in on her left foot, before she fired an unstoppable strike into the top corner. However, Rinsola Babajide responded with a solo effort of her own in the 55th minute. The 26-year-old drove towards the byline, before moving into the box to slot the ball home from a narrow angle. Tenerife were unable to push on for the winner, ensuring they finished the weekend with a six-point gap to third position.

Eibar 1-8 Barcelona

Barcelona eased to an eye-watering 8-1 victory in their away meeting with Eibar. Ewa Pajor, Caroline Graham Hansen and Vicky López all found the net to give the Blaugrana a three-goal lead at the interval. Eibar’s Margherita Monnecchi pulled a goal back in the opening stages of the second period. However, Barcelona quickly moved through the gears to net three goals in six minutes.

Patri Guijarro guided the ball from Mapi León’s deep corner to make it 4-1 to the visitors. Salma Paralluelo then calmly lifted the ball over Eunate Astralaga, before Ona Batlle added a sixth to Barcelona’s tally. There was still plenty of time left for Paralluelo to grab her second and for Clàudia Pina to put her name on the scoresheet.

Real Sociedad 0-0 Sevilla

Real Sociedad were held to a goalless draw in their home meeting with Sevilla. The hosts forced Sevilla goalkeeper Esther Sullastres to make six saves during the course of the contest. The shot-stopper ultimately did enough to pick up a useful point for her side. Real Sociedad are now five points adrift of the top three in the race for European qualification.

Madrid CFF 0-3 Atlético Madrid

Luany required just 15 minutes to break the deadlock against her previous employers. The Brazilian waited for a loose ball to reach the edge of the box, before she whipped a left-footed strike out of the reach of Paola Ulloa. Gabriela García then added a second, before Gio found the net against her former club. The 21-year-old slotted the ball into the bottom corner after being teed up by Luany, sending Atlético into the break of their latest Liga F clash with a three-goal lead.

The visitors were unable to add to their tally in the second period, but crucially, they stood firm at the opposite end of the pitch to record a comfortable victory. The win moved Atlético into the Liga F top three and the Women’s Champions League qualification spots.

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