Talking points from Barcelona Femeni 3 – 0 Real Sociedad

Barcelona Femeni played their fourth league game of the season at home against Real Sociedad yesterday and won 3-0 convincingly.

Goals from Caroline Graham Hansen, who scored a brace, and Alexia Putellas kept the Blaugrana at the top of the table.

Here are a few things that were noticed during the game:

Another convenient win at home 

The first game at home this season was played against Valencia five days ago, and Barcelona won 6-0 on the night. Three days later, Real Sociedad came visiting and were also handed a 3-0 defeat in a show of dominance.

Both victories on home soil came after Barcelona struggled to score in their first two matches of the season that were played away from home. They beat Madrid CFF 2-0 on the opening day of the season and forced a 2-1 victory against Huelva in their second game. Although the champions dominated both games, their lethality in attack was a bit lacking.

However, against Valencia, Barcelona put up an exhibition in front of their home fans. They looked very sharp and were clinical in front of goal. In similar fashion, against Sociedad, the team showcased lethal attacking combinations in the final third and were denied a couple of goals by Sociedad’s goalkeeper.

Barcelona will once again play away from home when they face Atletico Madrid in their next match.

Caroline Graham Hansen brace

Graham Hansen scored twice yesterday to give Barcelona their fourth victory of the season. The Norwegian forward was very alert in the box and pounced when Sociedad’s goalkeeper spilled Mariona’s shot.

Her dazzling dribbles on the wing were a constant source of trouble for the opposition. She scored the second goal with a brilliant move, coming from behind her marker to meet Keira Walsh’s cross at the far post.

Alexia sits at the top of all-time goalscorers list

Team captain and two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas scored a beautiful goal yesterday and put herself at the top of the list as the player with the most goals for Barcelona Femeni. She currently shares the spot with ex-Barcelona player Jennifer Hermoso, with both players having scored 181 goals in the Blaugrana colors.

And with Alexia still very much present at the club, it’s only a matter of time before ‘La Reina’ claims the spot for herself.

Walsh back with a bang

English midfielder Keira Walsh was fielded for the first time this season against Sociedad, and she wasted no time in showing her return when she provided the assist for Barcelona’s third goal.

Walsh missed Barcelona’s first three games of the season due to an injury and was declared fit enough to play yesterday. The midfielder came off the bench and assisted Caroline Graham Hansen to score Barcelona’s third of the night.

Batlle and Brugts with amazing performances

The transfer saw Barcelona let go of some of their players while signing only two players, Ona Batlle and Esmee Brugts. Both players made their debuts on the same day, and since then, we’ve seen more of the Spanish full-back than the Dutch midfielder.

However, both players put up amazing performances in Barcelona’s win over Sociedad yesterday. Ona Batlle owned the left flank and almost scored a beauty with a shot that struck the frame of the goal. She also scored a goal that was disallowed for offside.

Esmee Brugts came on as a late substitute; however, her individual brilliance was on display in her brief cameo on the pitch. The Dutch linked up well with Keira Walsh for Barcelona’s third goal and almost got herself on the scoresheet after an amazing solo run, only to see her shot saved by Sociedad’s goalkeeper.

Barcelona will continue the defense of their league crown on October 15 when they face Atletico Madrid in their next Liga F game.