The Estadi Lluís Companys in Montjuïc hosted another women's football celebration on Saturday afternoon. FC Barcelona Femení returned to the Catalan club's temporary home ground to win the Clásico against Real Madrid Femenino (2-0), in the match corresponding to matchday 11 of Liga F.
Pere Romeu's team did their homework thanks to a brace from Ewa Pajor in the first half, adding a new victory against the 'merengues', the first after the scandalous white triumph in March (1-3), also in Montjuïc and with terrible refereeing
On Saturday, before a crowd at Lluís Companys (almost 35,000), the *culés* dominated the match from start to finish, although there was a controversial penalty for Madrid in the second half that almost spoiled the Catalan celebration. Now, the *culés* have a 7-point lead over the *blancas* at the top of Liga F.
Barça resolved the Clásico early thanks to Ewa Pajor
Barça opened the scoring in the 14th minute, thanks to a toe-poke finish from Pajor. Claudia Pina broke down the left flank to deliver a cross into the heart of the box, allowing the Polish forward to finish with one touch past Misa.
Ewa herself had scored seven minutes earlier, but the goal was disallowed for offside. The start was frenetic, with Madrid playing a back-and-forth game. The Whites even hit the post in the 5th minute, while Pajor, in the 19th minute, once again saw a goal disallowed, this time for a very questionable handball control.
The 28-year-old player, however, sealed her brace in the 30th minute, this time taking advantage of a short rebound from Misa after a dangerous cross-shot from Graham. Cata Coll, a couple of minutes earlier, prevented the equalizer with a great save against the Colombian Linda Caicedo.
After the 2-0, Barça took the opportunity to slow down the pace of the game a bit, managing possession with greater judgment. Madrid felt the blow of Pajor's brace, although there was another approach by Caicedo down the wing before halftime.
Schertenleib and Aitana sealed the rout at the end
Both teams kept their lineups intact at halftime. Barça continued to trouble the 'Merengue' defense with incursions from Graham, while Ewa Pajor was close to a hat-trick with a one-on-one saved by Misa.
Pere Romeu made a substitution in the 60th minute, bringing on Aitana Bonmatí for Vicky López. The best footballer on the planet was a substitute due to muscular discomfort and could only play half an hour in the Clásico. Ten minutes later, Esmee Brugts left the field injured and on a stretcher.
Aicha and Kika Nazareth. came on for Brugts and Claudia Pina, in a rather tight stretch of the match. After a corner kick in favor of Real Madrid in the 76th minute, VAR alerted to a very questionable foul by Cata Coll on Athenea inside the box. The head referee Paola Cebollada awarded a penalty and Caroline Weir took charge of taking it.
However, Coll guessed the side and cleared the shot with a notable save. The Barcelona goalkeeper appeared again in the 84th minute to prevent a goal from Athenea, as the match became card-heavy in the final minutes.
Already in stoppage time, Barça scored two more goals, taking advantage of a Real Madrid defense broken by fatigue and the search for a goal that never came. In the 90th minute, a deep pass from Kika allowed Sydney Schertenleib to score against Misa. And, in the 90+3rd minute, another cross from the left by Mapi León found Aitana alone, allowing the Barça star to beat Misa with a cross-shot.
After an eleven-minute addition, there was a total celebration in Montjuïc for the *culés*. Barça is the leader with 30 points, while Madrid remains with 23. Next Thursday, Pere Romeu's team visits Chelsea in the Champions League.