After failing to hit target in her first game of the 2022/23 season against Granadilla Tenerife last weekend at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, scored her first goal of the season in style as Barcelona Femeni demolished Villarreal 4-1 at the Ciudad Deportiva Villarreal CF Vila-real on Sunday.
Oshoala came on as a substitute in the champions’ opening day 2-0 victory over Granadilla Tenerife, but coach Jonatan Giraldez handed the Falcons star her first start of the season at Villarreal.
The former Arsenal and Liverpool forward grabbed the opportunity with both hands and rewarded the manager’s faith in her with a lovely goal to double Blaugrana’s lead.
The Catalans, who went unbeaten in the Primera División Femenina last season, showed their superiority from the kickoff, and they were rewarded with a goal from Mapi Leon in the 26th minute.
Despite several chances created, Barcelona could not find the back of the net to double their lead and the Spanish champions went into the dressing room at the end of the first half with only a goal separating both sides.
The Catalans, however, started the second half better with more attacking intent and were rewarded for their efforts.
Just three minutes into the restart, Oshoala scored her first goal of the season and Barca’s second of the game.
A Mariona Caldentey nice through pass put the Nigerian through on goal and she wasted no time, as she chipped the ball from outside the box past the charging Villarreal keeper to make it 2-0 for Barcelona.
Rocco Garcia pulled one back for the home side in the 56th minute to give her side a fighting chance. Nonetheless, Barcelona fired back with goals from Claudia Pina and Lara Mata(own goal) to ensure a 4-1 win for the defending champions.
The win takes Barcelona to the summit of the Liga Femini, albeit on goal difference.
