Athletic Club - Rayo Vallecano

Athletic Club Women beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 at Lezama on Sunday thanks to goals from Erika Vázquez and Nekane Díez. Although the Lionesses dominated the first half, Rayo fought back in the second 45, making Athletic sweat for the three points.

Iraia Iturregi’s side were comfortable from the off. They controlled possession, but lacked clear chances on goal. That changed when the referee awarded Athletic a penalty after Erika was shoved in the box by a defender.

The veteran striker took the penalty with supreme confidence, putting her side ahead in the 16th minute. Ane Azkona went close to a second but she was denied by Rayo’s Larqué in goal. Clara Pinedo, in her first start, then tried her luck with a low shot without troubling the goalkeeper.

Azkona had a great chance to double Athletic’s lead straight after the restart. However, the striker failed to get her header on target after a smart counter-attack. The Lionesses began to take advantage both on the counter-attack and from set pieces, but the second goal evaded them.

Larqué, who put in a brilliant performance for Vallecano, kept out Lucía García when the striker tried to score with a lob in the 57th minute.

In the 63rd minute, Paula Fernández threatened Athletic’s Andrea de la Nava with a long-range effort which went over the bar. Camila Sáez made it 1-1 in the 74th minute, scoring from a direct free kick on the edge of the box.

In the closing stages, Athletic Club threw everything at finding a breakthrough, Nekane getting the winner in the 85th minute. Three more points for the Lionesses in what has been a great week: a place in the Copa round of 16 and a league win to maintain their place towards the top of the table.

Next week, Iturregi’s side will face SD Eibar on Wednesday and Sporting Huelva on Sunday.