Levante UD - Athletic Club

Athletic Club Women beat Levante UD 2-3 in their Primer Iberdrola Matchday 18 fixture. It was a hard-fought affair which ended with the same scoreline as the reverse fixture at Lezama.

The Lionesses conceded early on, but they recovered and Vanesa Gimbert’s goal and Lucía García’s brace were enough to earn three golden points.

Levante UD had more initiative and possession in the first half. The game had barely started when Andonova took advantage of a cross from Alba Redondo to head the ball past Mariasun Quiñones.

The Lionesses were subdued by Ángel Villacampa’s side’s attack, especially on the left flank, which saw a duel between two promising players in Redondo and Oihane Hernández.

A couple of Lucía García sparks aside, Athletic rarely troubled the Levante defence. Ane Azkona then had a chance to equalise in the 19th minute, but her shot went narrowly wide.

Levante continued to play their game, attacking with pace and getting plenty of people into the Athletic box. Lucía García made it 1-1 in the 23rd minute with a fantastic strike from 25 yards out.

The game levelled up and, although Alba Redondo once again troubled Quiñones, it was Iraia Iturregi’s side who went in 1-2 thanks to Gimbert’s goal on the stroke of half-time. The veteran defender scoring a bullet header from a corner.

After the break, Leire Baños had two chances but Quiñones saved well. Midfielder Sophe Istillart came off in the 55th minute after injuring her knee. In the 63rd minute Alba Redondo, in a messy move following a corner, made it 2-2 and Toletti went close to scoring soon after.

Athletic began to struggle as the home side took control again. However, Lucia made it 2-3 in the 68th minute with another stunning goal. The striker intercepted the ball on the halfway line before driving towards goal, rounding the keeper and slotting home.

The Lionesses then looked to contain the home side, giving everything they had to maintain their advantage. Levante kept trying but the solid defensive work allowed Athletic to win in Buñol, something they had not achieved since the 2015/2016 season.