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1-1: Femení play out tight draw
RCD Espanyol Femení draw against league leaders SD Eibar Femenino
RCD Espanyol Femení drew 1-1 with SD Eibar Femenino on Saturday.
Returning after the final international break of the year, Marc Cabestany’s side looked to move within a point of the play-offs against the league leaders. Eibar arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque unbeaten, while the hosts recorded one of the best defences in the division.
Espanyol started strongly and had two big chances early on through Pixu. The first saw her go through on goal and denied by a top save from Noelia García, followed by a point-blank header which the Spaniard could not convert.
Despite a lengthy pause in play when Emily Dolan was caught in a collision, Espanyol continued to have the momentum and the efforts on goal. Only a double García save on the rebound kept it goalless, as the hosts were pushing for the breakthrough.
Right on the half hour mark, Espanyol had a golden chance with a free-kick on the edge of the box. Captain Adriana Martín stepped up and curled it brilliantly into the top corner, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot and giving the Femení a deserved lead.
Dolan’s injury would force her off at half-time with youngster Andrea Crespo replacing her. Espe Pizarro almost capitalised instantly after the restart, but Júlia Guerra recovered well and made a goal-saving block.
Sara struck her shot straight at the keeper, then Pixu seemed to have doubled the hosts’ lead but was quickly flagged offside. Another injury delay followed for Eibar striker Espe, who was stretchered off with a head injury to receive further treatment.
Eibar had grown into the match and were starting to threaten in what was now an end-to-end match. Espanyol continued to pour into the final third but could not get that final ball right, while the visitors were edging closer to a potential leveller.
That equaliser did come with five minutes of normal time remaining, as a deep cross into the box left Andrea Álvarez with a free header and a way back for Eibar. Eleven minutes of stoppage time was not enough to separate the two sides, as it ended all square at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque.
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Match information
RCD Espanyol Femení: Dolan (Andrea Crespo 46’), Caracas (Luzu 81’), Núria Martínez, Guerra, Laia Jordán, Sara (Natalia 90+5’), Chini, Carol Marín, Adriana, Pixu (C. Baudet 81’), J. Pablos.
SD Eibar Femenino: N. García, Andrés, Sierra, Campos, Espe (A. Álvarez 69’), J. Ibánez, Camino (Irati Martín 89’), Thompson (Gines 90+8’), Honoka, Noko (Geral 89’), Jujuba.
Referee: María Monesma Sánchez
Goals: 1-0 Adriana 31’; 1-1 A. Álvarez 85’
Bookings: Guerra 14’, Chini 90+10’; Noko 41’, Honoka 53’, Andrés 82’
Attendance: Approx. 300