It was a classy and thrilling encounter between the two best women football clubs in Spain as Barcelona Femeni took on Real Madrid in a hotly-contested women El Clasico.
The two teams were involved in UEFA Women’s Champions League matches in midweek. Barcelona, who are the defending Spanish and European champions, saw off Portuguese side Benfica with a convincing 5-0 win in Spain.
Real Madrid travelled to England to take on Chelsea women. It ended in a 2-2 draw with pockets of controversies and officiating blunders tainting the clash.
Real Madrid were awarded a controversial penalty and Chelsea’s late winner chalked off.
While Real Madrid salvaged a point against Emma Hayes’ Chelsea, Barcelona got off the mark with an emphatic win over Benfica.
On Sunday, November 19, 2023, the two teams squared up in a heated Liga F clash at Monjuic.
It was thought the game will take on the usual fiery atmosphere that pervades their male counterpart, but it turned out to be a one-sided affair all through. Barcelona Femeni bundled Real Madrid with ease building on their midweek Champions League victory.
Giraldez got the best out of the European giants despite missing 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Alexis Putellas to injury.
They eased pass Real Madrid to a 3-0 lead in the first half and would have extended the lead before the break as they hit the woodwork three times as well and missed glaring goal chances.
Aitana Bonmati opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 17th minute before Graham Hansen latched on Paralluello’s rebound to poke home the second goal few minutes before the break.
Caldentey then added to the tally in first half stoppage-time to make it 3-0 before the interval.
Barcelona continued in their dominant display in the second half but had to wait on the cusps of the final minutes to add to the tally.
Claudia Pina finished from close range to make it 4-0 before 17-year-old Vicky Lopez wrapped up the win with Barcelona’s fifth.
It was a deserved win for the European giants. They have maintained their perfect start to the season with 9 straight wins to go six points clear at the top of Liga F table.