Liga F match-day 20 round-up: Real Sociedad prevail in Basque derby to boost European quest

Real Sociedad continued their promising quest for European qualification with a 2-0 victory over Basque rivals Athletic Club at the weekend.

Meanwhile, there were commanding victories for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla on Liga F match-day 20. Here’s how the latest lot of results unfolded in Spain’s top flight.

Real Sociedad claim derby bragging rights

Real Sociedad extended their unbeaten league run to seven games with a successful outing on derby day.

Aiara Agirrezabala sprinted in from the left flank to slip the ball past the goalkeeper from a narrow angle. The visitors were given the chance to double their advantage when Naia Landaluze was penalised for a foul in the box. Paula Fernández held her nerve to send Adriana Nanclares the wrong way from the spot. Fernández’s first league goal for Real Sociedad proved to be the final goal of the Basque derby.

The result represented Athletic’s third consecutive defeat in all competitions.

Sevilla hit four again

After thrashing Madrid CFF 6-1 last weekend, Deportivo La Coruña were brought quickly down to earth by a heavy 4-0 home defeat to Sevilla. The Andalusian outfit netted all four goals in a dominant second half, starting with a well-worked free-kick that was finished off by Lucía Moral. The forward, who is known as Wifi, completed a brace in the 68th minute, firing home a shot from just inside the box.

Fatou Kanteh Cham quickly made it three before a goalkeeper error resulted in Andrea Álvarez’s fourth goal of the Liga F season. Álvarez’s effort wrapped up a second consecutive 4-0 success for a Sevilla side that are now in fifth position in the table.

Barcelona, Real Madrid ease to victory

Barcelona maintained their 100 percent home record with a 4-0 win over Eibar. Ewa Pajor netted her 16th league goal of the season to open the scoring. Clàudia Pina then steered the ball home from Esmee Brugts neat pass, before Patri Guijarro scored from distance with the aid of slight deflection. Boasting a three-goal advantage, Barcelona added a fourth through Irene Paredes’s 61st-minute effort. As a result of the commanding win, the leaders remain 10 points clear of rivals Real Madrid.

Relegation-threatened Alhama proved no match for Real Madrid on Sunday. Hanna Bennison required less than 10 minutes to find the breakthrough, before Sandie Toletti sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot as the game reached the half-hour mark. Alba Redondo then added her name to the scoresheet inside the opening three minutes of the second half. Las Blancas have won four league games on the bounce, while Alhama are winless in 14 top flight matches.

Tenerife, Granada continue fine form

Fourth-placed Costa Adeje Tenerife stayed eight points adrift of Real Sociedad with a successful away trip to Badalona. María Llompart spurned the chance to put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute, as Noelia Ramos guessed the right way to ensure the game remained goalless at the break. That changed in the 66th minute when Elba Vergés prodded in from close range to net her third league goal of the season. Clau Blanco added the insurance of a second goal to wrap up a third consecutive win in all competitions. In fact, Tenerife have now avoided defeat in each of their last nine competitive matches.

Meanwhile, Granada required just one goal to see off Levante at the weekend. Laura Pérez created the decisive goal, slowing down the play before choosing the opportune moment to drive past her marker to whip in a cross for Andrea Gómez to head home. As a result of the narrow victory, Granada have now won five of their last six Liga F matches (D1).

Who drew on Liga F match-day 20?

Espanyol took the lead from the penalty spot in their home meeting with DUX Logroño. Laia Ballesté produced a composed finish down the middle of the goal after Marta Masferrer had been penalised for a foul on Phoenetia Browne. Logroño were given their own spot-kick in the early stages of the second period after the referee ruled that Amaia Martínez had brought down Flavine Mawete in the box. Isina assumed responsibility to roll home the all-important equaliser, putting her side one point clear of the bottom two.

After losing heavily to Manchester United in the UWCL, Atlético Madrid experienced more frustration in their league meeting with Madrid CFF. Atleti racked up 19 shots, including seven on target, but were unable to find a way past Paola Ulloa. They are now 12 points adrift of the top three and effectively out of the running for European qualification

Did you know?

Sevilla have now scored 13 goals across their last four games. That is a considerable improvement on the 15 goals they mustered in the first 16 league matches of the season.

Best goal of Liga F match-day 20

We have picked Wifi’s second goal as our standout effort from the weekend. A slick passing move opened the space for the Sevilla forward to bear down on goal. The 22-year-old the steadied herself to guide an expert finish out of the goalkeeper’s reach.