An early goal from Oguiza allowed Athletic to open the current League with a victory in their visit to Levante. The fact that the VAR does not yet work in the Liga F deprived the Granota team of at least having levelled the difference on the scoreboard, since the referee did not award a goal on a shot by Lahmarique that ended up inside the goal very well defended, once again, by Nanclares. The ball bounced off the crossbar of the Bilbao goal and bounced inside it, but the referee, at the request of one of her assistants, understood that the ball had not entered.
The Granotas were trailing on the scoreboard from the very beginning. Their attack was almost always slowed down by the inspired rival goalkeeper, their own inaccuracies when finishing and the good general work in terms of containment by the lionesses. The red-and-whites, meanwhile, clung to their advantage on the scoreboard, although without giving up on increasing their difference. Azkona, Nahikari and Patri Zugasti, their main offensive references, barely gave any signs of life during the match.
The renewed Levante, with their new coach Roger Lamela in charge, started strongly against an Athletic that found in their goalkeeper Nanclares the best resource to stop the Granota’s impetus. Shortly after the red-and-white goalkeeper prevented Chacón from scoring, the red-and-white goal came. Oguiza, before the 4th minute had even been completed, crossed from his wing and the ball took flight and spin until it ended up in the back of Holmbrem’s goal.
The Granotas, far from giving up, persisted in their offensive in front of the visiting goal. Chacón, Carrasco and Paula Fernández once again put Nanclares to the test and she responded successfully. David Aznar’s team gained consistency as the match progressed and even had a good chance to increase their lead. Pinedo’s powerful shot was deflected by the local goalkeeper with a good save.
Levante, with Lahmari replacing Arqués on the pitch, stepped up the pace after the break. Martín Sosa was the first to test Nanclares. The red-and-white goalkeeper, in her line of support, thwarted the veteran Granota player’s first attempt with the help of Maddi and the second with another great save.
The most controversial move of the match came shortly after. The new signing Lahmari shot in front of the Bilbao goal, the ball bounced off the crossbar first and then into the red-and-white goal; but the referee, at the urging of one of her linesmen, understood that the ball had not gone in. A serious mistake.
David Aznar, aware that his team needed a breath of fresh air, opted to bring on Mariana and the debutant Valero at the same time for Oguiza and Azkona, respectively. Two significant changes.
The Granotas, with Martín Sosa as their main cheerleader, kept trying until the end against an Athletic that knew how to be strong at the back and maintain their early goal advantage until they declared victory. If VAR had existed in women’s football, the final result would have been different given the legal goal not awarded to Levante due to a referee error.
Levant
01
ATHLETIC
Levant: Holmbrem; Alharilla (Teresa 86′), Molina, Eva Alonso, Gabaldon; Arches (Lahmari 46′), Torrodà, Paula Fernandez, Carrasco; Martin Sosa and Chacon.
Athletic: Nanclares; Landaluze, Maddi, Bibi, Nevado; Azkona (Mariana 64′), Baños, Oguiza (Valero 64′), Pinedo (Gara 86′); Nahikari (Itxaso 86′) and Patri Zugasti (Sanadri 86′).
Goal: 0-1: min. 4, Oguiza.
Referee: Amy Peñalver Pearce (Balearic Committee).
See match sheet
