In what happened to be the last league game of the 2022/2023 Liga F season, Barcelona Femeni suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Madrid CFF that saw their unbeaten run brought to an end. After having their winning run in the league brought to an end by Sevilla on Matchday 29, the title holders only had their run of unbeaten games to hold on to. However, their impressive run of remaining unbeaten in the league for almost 2 seasons in a row was thwarted by the Madrid side who scored 2 goals in the first half to put the game beyond the Catalan giants.
The Blaugrana fought hard in the second half to come back after going into halftime 2 goals behind. However, Madrid CFF was able to hold on to their win and thus ended Barcelona’s chance of finishing the league season unbeaten for the second time in a row.
With the last game of the league season finally over, the Spanish champions now have one match left to complete an amazing season. The UEFA Champions League final against Wolfsburg will be played on June 3 in Eindhoven.
We bring you a quick rundown of what happened in the last game of the 2022/2023 Liga F season
First Half
Madrid CFF got the first chance of the game in the 5th minute when Racheal Kundananji got in behind the Barcelona defense. After going past Mapi Leon with beautiful footwork, the pacey striker failed to hit the target.
The hosts came close to scoring again in the 7th minute after another misplaced Barcelona pass helped them breakaway on a counter. However, the final shot on target was saved by Sandra Panos’s flailing leg.
The league champions finally got their first chance of the game but Mariona Caldentey’s audacious chip from outside the box ended up sailing harmlessly over the crossbar.
Barcelona then saw top scorer, Asisat Oshoala go down on the turf clutching her hamstring. The champions were forced into an early substitution as the Nigerian forward was replaced by Salma Paralluelo.
In the 28th minute, Patri Guijarro’s cross found Geyse Ferreira in the box and the Brazilian’s header was saved by Madrid CFF’s goalkeeper.
The Madrid side broke the deadlock in the 30th minute, after a long ball over the top found Racheal Kundananji behind the Barcelona defense, with enough space to run at the onrushing Panos, who was beaten to the ball by the Madrid side’s forward, who ended up putting the ball into the back of an empty net.
Barcelona came close to equalizing in the 32nd minute, but the hosts’ goalkeeper saved Mariona Caldentey’s header.
A minute later, the goalkeeper denied Patri Guijarro a scoring chance with a beautiful save. The midfielder played a one-time volley after being on the receiving end of a cross from Marta Torrejon.
For all of Barcelona’s efforts, it was Madrid CFF that would get their second goal of the game after their top scorer, Racheal Kundananji, left the Barcelona defenders in her shadow and went on to score. Although Barcelona appealed for a foul on Irene Paredes that led to the goal, the goal stood.
The fourth official raised the board to show 3 minutes of added time. In the last minute of added time, 45+3′ minutes, substitute Salma Paralluelo put the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
The larger part of the first 45 minutes was dominated by the Blaugrana. However, the champions couldn’t find a way past the hosts’ goalkeeper and were behind by two goals heading into half-time.
Second Half
Barcelona, being two goals behind, was desperate to get a goal. The chances came for the champions to get back into the game, but all efforts proved to be in vain.
The Blaugrana found it difficult to go past the hosts’ defense, and although they kept possession of the ball, they weren’t much of a threat.
All that changed when a series of substitutions were made that saw club captain, Alexia Putellas come on to replace Geyse Ferreira. Ingrid Engen and Jana Fernandez were also brought on to increase the league champions’ chances of getting a goal
And in the 64th minute, the 2 times Women’s Best Player of the Year scored her first goal since returning from injury. A well-taken corner kick found Ana Crnogorcevic, who, in an attempt to get the ball under control, put the ball down for Alexia Putellas to finish from close range.
And with time running out for the champions to get an equalizer, Patri Guijarro missed a glorious chance after Jana Fernandez’s cross found her at the far post, but the midfielder couldn’t keep the ball under control. Another cross found the midfielder, who was unable to control the ball this time but wasn’t given enough room to put the ball past the goalkeeper.
Ana Crnogorcevic also came very close to scoring with a header, after a sumptuous cross by Salma Paralluelo. However, the header went just wide of the post.
In the 88th minute, another cross from Salma Paralluelo found Patri in the box. But the midfielder failed to hit the target with her header.
Barcelona kept going till the final whistle, but they were unable to find a way past Madrid CFF and ended up losing the game 2-1. Thus having their insane run of unbeaten games forcefully brought to an end.
The champions will play their last game of the season at Eindhoven on June 3, where they will face Wolfsburg in the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
