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3-0: Femení see out dominant win

RCD Espanyol Femení cruise past Rayo Vallecano Femenino

RCD Espanyol Femení beat Rayo Vallecano Femenino 3-0 in the Primera RFEF Femenina on Sunday.

Back at the Ciutat Esportiva Dani Jarque after a goalless draw with Cacareño, Espanyol knew that a win could see them move just outside the play-offs. Marc Cabestany’s side looked to continue their solid form with one defeat in five league matches.

It was Espanyol who took control straight away, with chances for Adriana Martín and Pixu inside the first minute. Judit Pablos fired her shot just over the bar, a sign of the hosts’ dominance but needing to be clinical if they were to truly seize control,

Espanyol found the breakthrough just shy of the half hour mark with a well-worked goal. Pixu’s pass found its way through to Carol Marín, who shrugged off the defender and kept her cool to slot it into the bottom corner for the opener.

The second half aim was simple for Espanyol: score again and kill off the match. But Rayo Vallecano were looking for a way back through a tactical switch at the break.

It allowed the visitors their first chance of the afternoon, and a huge one to equalise. Iris found herself in on goal but was met by Emily Dolan, pulling off a top save to keep the score as it was.

After much persistence, Espanyol finally found that second goal to give themselves a comfortable lead. Pixu was the architect once again, playing a perfect pass into the path of Judit Pablos who just needed to stroke it home to give the hosts breathing space.

There were a few lengthy injury delays, most notably to Rayo goalkeeper Ana María de Murga who was stretchered off. Dolan was called into action late on as she cleared Marianela Szymanowski’s free kick over the bar, the last of the visitors’ pressure.

Espanyol wrapped up the win in style in stoppage time, with the best goal of the afternoon. Luzu went through on goal and chipped the keeper to seal the win once and for all, seeing out a superb victory for RCD Espanyol Femení.

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Match information

RCD Espanyol Femení: Dolan, Núria Martínez, Opazo (Luzu 66’), Pixu, Adriana (Laia Jordán 86’), Sara, Chini, Carol Marín, J. Pablos (Nora Fernández 80’), Júlia Guerra, Caracas (Irene Corral 86’).

Rayo Vallecano Femenino: Murga (Tovar 86’), Irene, Claudia, Teru (Osorio 62’), Iris C, Miriam (Sheri 77’), Moni, Bruna, Botero, Nerea Fernándeza, Rovirola (Szymanowski 46’).

Referee: Ágata López García

Goals: 1-0 Carol Marín 29’; 2-0 Judit Pablos 72’, 3-0 Luzu 90+8’

Bookings: Júlia Guerra 13’, N. Opazo 49’, Caracas 53’, Núria Martínez 90+2’; Moni 18’, Bruna 44’

Attendance: Approx. 300