FC Barcelona Women's team secured another victory with a narrow 1-0 win over Valencia at the Mestalla stadium on December 15, 2024. The outcome was decided by a penalty from Fridolina Rolfö just after the halftime mark, maintaining Barça's unbeaten streak.
The match started with Valencia employing defensive tactics effectively, absorbing Barcelona's pressure without conceding any goals during the first half. The home team showcased their resilience, attempting counterattacks, which included a close call when Marina Martí missed the target after forcing Barcelona goalkeeper Gemma Font to make some important saves.
Barça struggled to find rhythm initially, with several attempts falling short of the goal, mainly due to Valencia's organized defense and momentum killing tactics. Key players such as Aitana Bonmatí and Vicky López tried to create opportunities, but they were thwarted by Antonia Canales, the Valencia goalkeeper, who performed admirably under pressure.
It wasn't until the 53rd minute when the game turned. Following some intensified play from the visitors, referee Lorena Trujillano awarded Barcelona a penalty after Claudia Florentino fouled López. Rolfö stepped up and confidently slotted the ball past Canales for the only goal of the match.
Although Valencia attempted to fight back by pushing for scoring opportunities, they were unable to break through Barcelona's defenses, emphasizing the visitors' solid form. Barcelona, meanwhile, had chances to increase their lead but Canales' performance prevented them from dominating the scoreline.
This match also saw the unfortunate mid-game injury of Caroline Graham, who had just been substituted onto the field, causing concern for the Barça bench. Her situation will be monitored closely as the team prepares to face Manchester City for their upcoming European clash.
With this victory, Barcelona remains at the top of the Liga F standings, having won all matchups so far, scoring 57 goals and conceding just 7. This remarkable statistic underlines their strong position as they prepare for the Champions League challenge against the English side on December 18, 2024.
The next challenge looms large as Barcelona Women's team aims to continue their impressive run, with anticipation building among fans and players alike for what lies ahead.
