Liga F matchday 25 brought back two of the league’s heavyweights to square off at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. FC Barcelona scored six goals against Atletico de Madrid in November, giving them a spectacular win at the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano. The Blaugrana team came into this game just after the international break looking to secure their ninth league title. Meanwhile, Atletico de Madrid is now fourth in the league rankings and entered the game in search of the UWCL qualifying position.
The Madrid squad dominated the first 20 minutes of the game, producing chances. Barcelona came close to scoring, but the finish was sloppy. Barca scored their first goal of the game in a fantastic run of play including Fridolina Rolfo, Caroline Graham Hansen, and Aitana Bonmati. Fridolina Rolfo’s long ball was intercepted by Caroline Graham Hansen, and Aitana Bonmati’s last pass was a knockout. The rest of the first half was fairly even between the two sides, with FC Barcelona holding a one-goal edge.
Second Half Spectacle
Barcelona scored their second goal in the opening minute of the second half, preventing Atletico de Madrid from settling in. Vicky was wide-free to tuck the ball in the back of the net after receiving a lovely chipped pass from Geyse Ferreira. Caroline Graham Hansen had another chance the next minute, but her shot was just a few inches wide. However, Aitana Bonmati’s well-worked ball to Caroline Graham Hansen in the 56th minute led to Barcelona’s third goal of the game. Graham Hansen outwits numerous defenders in the Atleti area before slotting the ball into the back of the net in a well-executed goal.
Mariona Caldentey made her long-awaited comeback to the pitch and was quickly put into action. Atleti surrendered a freekick right beyond the box in the 78th minute. Mariona Caldentey and Mapi Leon compete for the shot; the former eventually takes it, but the ball hits the crossbar. Aitana Bonmati scored the game-winning goal for Barcelona in the 88th minute, thanks to a collision of legs and a brilliant ball from Bruna Vilamala.
The Blaugrana are only two games away from winning the league. However, the club’s fans would like a home game against Sporting de Huelva on April 30th, particularly following a victory in the UWCL semi-finals to lift their league title. Fans are hoping for a second UWCL triumph with the return of Blaugrana star player Alexia Putellas in the UWCL semi-final leg against Chelsea at Camp Nou. However, the club and the player would not hurry a comeback after an ACL injury, but the approaching weeks are guaranteed to be exciting for the club and its supporters.
