Real Madrid Femenino secured a hugely important victory in the race for second place in the Liga F Moeve table, as an Ainhoa Moraza own goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday night at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano.
Ahead of the match, Sociedad sat 2nd in the standings, one point and one place ahead of Madrid. The visitors came into the game on a great run of form, having not lost in the league for nearly two months and hoping to continue their unbeaten season away from home. Real, meanwhile, were looking to uphold their own undefeated record, having won every league game at the di Stéfano so far during the season. The hosts had bounced back to form in their last outing prior to the international break, earning a much-needed 3-0 win against Eibar which concluded a 3-game winless run in all competitions.
Before kick-off, the Di Stéfano stood and applauded to celebrate Spain’s Nations League 3-0 triumph over Germany at the beginning of the week. Those involved – Madrid’s María Méndez, Eva Navarro, Athenea and Alba Redondo, as well as Sociedad’s Edna Imade – were presented with medals and received a guard of honour in recognition of their fantastic achievement.
In an even opening half during which momentum shifted at several points, both teams enjoyed good chances to open the scoring early on. The hosts started the better and could have easily gone ahead inside the opening 10 minutes as the aforementioned Redondo glanced a header from a delightful Navarro cross agonisingly wide of the upright.
Sociedad settled as the first half progressed and would have found themselves in front had it not been for some excellent defending and goalkeeping from the home side. Maëlle Lakrar made a crucial block on the edge of her own six-yard box to deflect a Mirari Uria effort which looked to be sneaking towards the near post off target, before Misa Rodríguez displayed exceptional athleticism to claw away Aiara Aguirrezabala’s cross-shot when at full-stretch.
Las Blancas fought to wrestle control back from the visitors, and ended the first 45 minutes in a similar fashion to how they had started it. Sociedad were ruthlessly punished for failing to convert any of their several chances in front of goal, and found themselves behind two minutes before the break when Moraza turned a precise Sara Däbritz corner delivery into her own net when under pressure from Redondo.
The San Sebastian-based side had goalkeeper Julia Arrula to thank for ensuring that they did not find themselves two goals behind within the opening five minutes of the second half, as she made a fine double save to deny Athenea.
Sociedad had not failed to score in a league game all season prior to Saturday night, however, and Madrid’s one-goal advantage never looked entirely comfortable. An Andreia Jacinto corner shortly after the hour mark sparked chaos in the home side’s penalty area, as Misa failed to effectively deal with the delivery. A goalmouth scramble resulted in the ball being turned into the net from close range by Claudia Florentino, but Madrid were saved by the whistle of referee Gloria Planes Terol, who adjudged that the keeper had been fouled as she had attempted to claim the ball.
Five minutes later, Las Blancas were given another warning, as Sociedad’s top scorer, on-loan Bayern Munich striker Imade, was inches away from capitalising on a slack pass back to Misa by Sara Holmgaard.
Athenea again went close to doubling Real’s lead in second half injury time, after doing superbly to control Linda Caicedo’s cross-field ball and beat two Sociedad defenders. However, her inability to keep her effort on target ensured that there was a tense finish for Madridistas inside the di Stéfano as their side desperately defended their lead.
Misa was again called into action in the dying stages to parry away an Imade volley but, for all their pressure and persistence, Sociedad were able unable to break down a defiant Madrid backline, who held on for their 8th clean sheet of the season in Liga F. A disappointing afternoon for the away side was encapsulated in the final moments of the contest, as an uncontrolled Claire Lavogez volley flew comfortably over Madrid’s goal and prompted head coach Arturo Ruiz to slam his dugout in frustration.
Pau Quesada, in contrast, will have been delighted by his side’s organisation and resolute defence as they battled to victory. The result moves Real above Sociedad in Liga F, although they still remain seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona. The Basque side, meanwhile, now occupy the final Champions League qualification spot and sit only two points ahead of fourth-placed Atlético Madrid.
Madrid’s attention now turns to a crucial midweek clash at home to Wolfsburg in the Champions League on Tuesday night, while Ruiz and his players have a week to reset before they welcome Deportivo de la Coruña on Sunday.
Referee: Gloria Planes Terol
Real Madrid Lineup: Misa; Sheila García (subbed for Silvia Cristóbal, 93’), Méndez, Lakrar, Yasmim (subbed for Holmgaard, 46’); Angeldahl, Däbritz (subbed for Iris Ashley, 81’); Eva Navarro (subbed for Feller, 62’), Caicedo, Athenea; Redondo (subbed for Irune Dorado, 81’) Real Sociedad Lineup: Arrula; Lucía, Nahia Aparicio, Claudia Florentino (subbed for Lavogez, 86’), Moraza, Aiara; Emma (subbed for Arola Aparicio, 76’), Paula Fernández (subbed for Lucía Pardo, 86’), Cahynová, Andreia Jacinto (subbed for Intza, 76’); Mirari (subbed for Edna, 57’)