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One point for the Lionesses after last-minute own goal

One point for the Lionesses after last-minute own goal

A cruel end to the match sees Athletic pick up a point in Badajoz

Athletic Club Women and Santa Teresa drew 2-2 in Badajoz to take a point apiece from their Primera Iberdrola Matchday 16 fixture on Saturday.

The Lionesses seemed destined to overturn their recent winless run and head back to Bilbao with a 1-2 victory, until midfielder Sophie Istillart scored an own goal in the final minute.

Athletic’s Eunate opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and Mellado equalised for the home team just before half-time. Two own goals in the second half, first by Santa Teresa and then Athletic saw the spoils shared at the Viejo Vivero.

Iraia Iturregi’s Lionesses quickly settled into the match at El Vivero. Irene Oguiza was back in the starting line-up, one year after suffering a serious knee injury on her first-team debut.

Santa Teresa came flying out of the blocks and Mellado hit the crossbar in the 10th minute. Little by little Athletic shook off their nerves and began to peg Santa Teresa back in their own half.

Athletic’s first goal arrived in the 22nd minute, Eunate connected with Oihane Hernández’s pass from the right to beat opposition keeper Aguirre.

The rojiblancas were not content with just the one goal and began looking for a second. Around the half-hour mark, Athletic had three chances to go 0-2 up. First of all, Lucía García went close, Eunate had a shot and Oguiza shot just over from a short corner.

Santa Teresa got the equaliser five minutes before half-time with Mellado scoring past an Andrea de la Nava with a long-range effort.

Own goal in stoppage time

After the break, the weather conditions worsened and although Athletic did not give away any chances, they struggled to take control of the fixture.

María Díaz tried her luck from distance and Lucía García missed after getting a head on Istillart’s cross.

In the 70th minute, Iturregi decided to ring the changes as the Lionesses chased a winner.

Athletic regained the lead in the 75th minute. Lucía’s shot from a corner was deflected into the back of the net by Santa Teresa’s Ayuso.

Now 1-2 up, the Lionesses, despite the strong head wind, set about defending their hard-fought advantage.

However, in the 90th minute, Istillart hit the back of her own net whilst attempting to clear the ball.

Despite dominating the match and having several chances to kill off the game, Athletic bring just the one point back to Bilbao.