Asisat Oshoala, a striker for the Super Falcons, scored her first goal of the season in a spectacular manner as Barcelona Femeni defeated Villarreal 4-1 on Sunday at the Ciudad Deportiva Villarreal CF Vila-real after she had missed the target in her opening game of the 2022–23 season against Granadilla Tenerife last weekend at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
Oshoala was a substitute in the champions’ 2-0 win over Granadilla Tenerife on the first day of the season, but coach Jonatan Giraldez gave the Falcons star her season debut against Villarreal.
The former forward for Arsenal and Liverpool seized the chance with both hands, and she showed her appreciation for the coach’s confidence in her by scoring a magnificent goal to extend Blaugrana’s advantage.
From the opening kickoff, the Catalans, who were unbeaten in the Primera División Femenina the previous season, demonstrated their supremacy, and they were rewarded with a goal from Mapi Leon in the 26th minute.
Barcelona had several opportunities to increase their lead, but they were unable to convert any of them, thus at the end of the first half, there was only one goal separating the two teams as the Spanish champions went into the locker room.
But the Catalans made a better showing in the second half, with a greater desire to attack, and they were rewarded.
Oshoala scored Barca’s second goal of the match just three minutes after the break, giving her a season debut.
After receiving a wonderful through ball from Mariona Caldentey, the Nigerian lost no time in scoring, chipping the ball from outside the box past the charging Villarreal goalkeeper to make it 2-0 for Barcelona.
In the 56th minute, the home team’s Rocco Garcia scored a goal to give them a chance. However, Barcelona answered with goals from Claudia Pina and Lara Mata—one of which was an own goal—to secure a 4-1 victory for the defending champions.
Barcelona now leads Liga Femini on goal differential after the victory.
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