CDE Racing Féminas - Athletic Club

Athletic Club beat Racing Féminas 0-5 in their Copa de la Reina Round of 32 fixture on Wednesday night. Played at the Santa Ana ground in Torrelavega, the Lionesses dominated the match, the gap between the two teams being telling.

Nekane Diez, Irene Oguiza, Clara Pinedo, Sara Ortega and Paula Arana all got on the scoresheet. It was also a day to remember for the 16-year-old Sara, who marked her official debut as a Lioness with a goal.

Athletic got off to a flying start. In the tenth minute, Eunate put in a measured ball from the left which connected with Nekane, who finished headed into the back of the net.

The lionesses continued to grow in stature, creating several more chances. Sara Serrat denied Lucía García in a one-on-one and Nekane went close to scoring a second. On the Santander side, Laura Viñas shot at goal from a low angle, but Mariasun Quiñones made a strong save.

Yulema Corres could have made it 0-2 witha left-footed effort, but her shot went narrowly over. Racing were dealt a blow when Oguiza made it 0-2 towards the end of the half, the midfielder getting on the end of Itxaso’s corner to score.

After the break, the Red and Whites stepped up another gear. Manager Iraia Iturregi brought on fresh legs around the hour mark and Athletic’s superior fitness became even more apparent. In the 63rd minute, Clara Pinedo scored her first goal for the first team, taking advantage of a cut back from Paula Arana, who had just come on to the pitch.

Shortly after, Sara Ortega came on her to make her debut. The young home-grown player rounded off her first apperance with a goal, taking the scores to 0-4. Quiñones had a relatively relaxed second-half as Athletic’s youngsters ran the show.

Paula Arana scored her first official goal with a stunning strike from 25 yards out which sailed past Sara Serrat into the top corner of the net . The Lionesses eased their way into the last 16 and have now set their sights on Sunday’s Primera Iberdrola match against Rayo Vallecano at Lezama.