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1-2: Femení edged out in extra time
RCD Espanyol Femení knocked out of Copa De La Reina Villarreal CF Femenino
RCD Espanyol Femení were defeated 2-1 by Villarreal Femenino after extra-time in the Copa De La Reina on Tuesday.
Marc Cabestany’s side returned to cup action in round three, facing a top-flight opposition for the first time. Andrea Crespo retained her place in goal after coming off the bench in the draw with Eibar, as one of seven changes from last week.
Crespo was on her toes from the start and had to be alert to a deep cross from the byline. Espanyol were dictating the match but could not find the final ball through, though remained solid at the back with Nuria Martínez clearing every ball that came her way.
Villarreal’s Sheila Guijarro could not capitalise on a mishit clearance, followed by Estefa’s shot rolling just wide. Estefa had another bite of the cherry but was denied by a strong block from Nuria as the first half ended goalless.
Both sides made a double change at the break, looking to find the breakthrough and take control of the cup tie. Nora Fernández had the first chance of the half when she found some space in the box, but could not get enough on it to convert.
It was Espanyol who would break the deadlock after much persistence, thanks to a combination between the two substitutes. Chini played the perfectly weighted pass through to Pixu, who just had to poke it past Carmen Carbonell to put the hosts in front.
Unfortunately the Femení’s lead would be short lived, when Nerea Sánchez won the ball on the edge of the box and fired it straight into the roof of the net for the leveller for Villarreal.
Crespo then had to get down well to keep out María Llompart’s free kick from distance. There was nothing to separate the two in 90 minutes as it went into extra time, which started in awkward fashion when Nadezhda Karpova was sent off for Espanyol.
Pixu and Judit Pablos had huge chances to score, but both were denied by Carbonell. Villarreal snatched the winner on a deadly break with five minutes to go when Sánchez squared it to Belén Martínez, whose header was out of reach for Crespo and flew in.
Despite a valiant effort at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque, it would prove to be the winner, seeing Espanyol Femení bow out of the Copa De La Reina at the third round.
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Match information
RCD Espanyol Femení: Andrea Crespo, I. Corral, Nuria Martínez, Guerra, Luzu (J. Pablos 100’), Nayadet, Baudet (Pixu 46’), Sara (Júlia Serrat 67), Natalia Fernández (Chini 46’), Nora Fernández (Karpova 77’), Adriana (Carol Marín 67).
Villarreal CF Femenino: Carbonell, I. Miguélez, Estefa (Belén 69’), Sheila (Kanteh 46’), Claudia I., M. Llompart (Cienfu 91’), Nerea, Soldevila (Ainoa 91’), Vera Rico (Nerea Sánchez 46’), Lucía R. (María 82’), Albeta.
Referee: Elisabeth Calvo Valentín
Goals: 1-0 Pixu 68’, 1-1 Nerea Sánchez 75’; 1-2 Belén 115’
Bookings: Sara 11’; M. Llompart 15’, Kanteh 58’, I. Miguélez 78’, Nerea Sánchez 101’
Red cards: Karpova 92’
Attendance: Approx. 200