Levante UD Femenino Displays Game and Scoring Prowess (7-0) to Regain Smile Against Betis
Levante UD took advantage of their match against one of the teams currently struggling the most in the league, Betis Féminas, to showcase their skills before their fans (7-0). The Granotas improved both in gameplay and, especially, in scoring compared to previous matches, securing their highest-scoring victory of the current season. This resounding triumph bodes well for defending their third place, and therefore the Champions League spot, in the F League standings, as well as for gathering strength for their next challenge: on Sunday, March 31st, starting at 6:00 PM at the Ciutat de València, against FC Barcelona.
Coach Sánchez Vera shuffled his pieces and altered his usual formation, placing Estela Carbonell as the left winger and Redondo on the right flank, leaving Gabi Nunes and Andonova up front, while giving more freedom of movement to the double pivot composed of Leire Baños and Daniela. The alteration proved to be beneficial, and soon the blue and garnet football began to flow. And so did the goals. The first one came after a cross from Paula Tomás that deflected off Paula Perea, sending the ball into the net. It was the 1-0 that opened the scoring, a feat that had been elusive for Levante in previous matches, costing them several points. Midway through the first half, the rebound from a shot by Estela fell to Antonia, who smashed the ball into the net for her first goal wearing the Levante UD shirt. Gabi Nunes would further secure the victory just before halftime, collecting the ball after a shot from Andonova and scoring the third goal.
After the break, the story remained the same. With the Sánchez Vera's team causing damage from the wings, Estela, the protagonist of this Saturday afternoon, crossed, and this time it was Nuria who put the ball into her own net. In this goal-scoring festival, Alba Redondo didn't want to be left behind, scoring a brace (the fifth and seventh goals of the afternoon) in two remarkable actions: the first, a left-footed strike from outside the box that nestled into the top corner; and the 7-0, a beautiful one-two with Paula Fernández and another unstoppable shot. Before the goal that sealed the rout, Estela Carbonell got her reward, and, after another rebound caused by a shot from Andonova, she confidently beat Vizoso. Seven goals to rightfully bring a smile back to the Levante team.
MATCH DETAILS.
Levante UD: Tarazona (GK); Antonia (Gabaldón 61'), Mendoza, Silvia Lloris, Paula Tomás; Daniela Arques, Leire Baños (Paula Fernández 58'), Andonova (Leyre 74'); Alba Redondo, Gabi Nunes (Érika 58'), Estela.
Betis Féminas: Vizoso (GK); Nuria, Roberts, Dorine, Paula Perea; Montilla (Cameron 45'), Soliveres, Rosa Márquez (Noelia Salazar 82'), Núñez (Carla 45'); Carol (María Jiménez 67') and (Carla 67').
Goals: 1-0, min. 15: Paula Perea (own goal). 2-0, min. 23: Antonia Silva. 3-0, min. 45: Gabi Nunes. 4-0, min. 58: Nuria (own goal). 5-0, min. 71: Redondo. 6-0, min. 74: Estela. 7-0, min. 81: Redondo.
Referee: Cuesta Arribas. No bookings.
Incidents: Matchday 21 of the F League. Levante UD Sports City. Around 200 spectators. The president of the CSD, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, watched the match from the stands. Before the start of the match, María Méndez was presented with a commemorative shirt for her 100 official matches with Levante UD.
