Barcelona Femeni destroy Valencia in first home game of the season

Barcelona Femeni went on a spree in their first game at home this season, demolishing Valencia 6-0 on the night. The league champions played their postponed opening game of the season against Valencia in front of their home crowd and annihilated the visitors in a show of total dominance. Barcelona played their first two games away this season and won, scoring two goals in each game. However, the Catalan side were back to their brilliant best, showing their renowned fearsome lethality in attack, when they thumped Valencia 6-0 in their first game at home this season.

FINAL! 💥
Primera victòria a casa ✅ pic.twitter.com/GseghVaGv6

— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) October 5, 2023

The game should have been Barcelona’s first of the season, but it was postponed due to the strike that delayed the start of the league by a week. However, the game was eventually played, and Barcelona showed complete dominance and ruthlessness in front of goal.

First Half

It took the champions only ten minutes to open the scoring when Valencia defender Claudia Florentino scored an own goal in an attempt to stop Caroline Graham Hansen’s cross from reaching the lurking Aitana Bonmati. 

In the 21st minute of the game, as if in a loop, the same scenario played out again when Graham Hansen’s cross, this time aimed at Alexia Putellas, was turned into the net by the same defender for her second own goal of the game.

Barcelona were soon rewarded for their relentless attacks in the 43rd minute when UEFA Player of the Year Aitana Bonmati headed home from Graham Hansen’s cross.

The champions were three goals up by halftime, and with Valencia completely outclassed and outplayed, Barcelona’s victory was irrevocable.

Second Half

Barcelona started the second half completely dominating their opponents. The champions picked up where they left off in the first half and knocked the ball around the park with ease. In the 60th minute, substitutions were made, and with a flurry of games awaiting the Blaugrana, the rotation was important. Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro, and Graham Hansen were replaced by Jana Fernandez, Ingrid Engen, and Claudia Pina.

Less than 10 minutes after coming on, Mapi Leon scored Barcelona’s fourth goal of the night. The defender whipped in a cross that missed everyone in the box and bounced into the back of the net.

The champions kept heaping endless waves of attack on the visitors and once again were rewarded for their efforts when they were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute. The referee did not hesitate to point to the spot when Esmee Brugts’s cross hit the flailing arm of Valencia defender Pauleta. After missing from the spot four days ago against Sporting Huelva, Alexia Putellas stepped up and scored Barcelona’s fifth goal of the game.

Alexia scored again from an Aitana Bonmati cross, but the goal was chalked off as the captain was already in an offside position. Another round of substitutions was made as Asisat Oshoala and Bruna Vilamala replaced Alexia Putellas and Esmee Brugts.

Five goals up, and Barcelona still kept their foot on the gas and got one more goal. Valencia got caught in a counterattack as Ona Batlle bombed down the left flank and was fouled on the edge of the box. The resulting freekick was beautifully converted by Marta Torrejon in style. 

Shortly after, substitute Bruna Vilamala scored again; however, the goal was canceled due to an offside call. The shot was deflected off Marta Torrejon on its way to goal, and the defender was judged to be in an offside position.

Barcelona ended their first home game of the season 6-0, making it their third win in three games.