Liga F round up: Sevilla continue red-hot form, Huelva claim first win

Only six matches took place on matchday 14 of the Liga F season due to the involvement of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Levante in the Supercopa. Nevertheless, there was still plenty of action at the weekend, including another win for an in-form Sevilla side.

Here, we will round up all the action from the latest round of matches from the 2023-24 Liga F campaign.

Sevilla 3-1 Villarreal

Sevilla extended their unbeaten run to eight competitive games with a home win over Villarreal on Saturday. Cristina Martín-Prieto nodded home from Lucía Rodríguez’s lofted cross to open the scoring in the 19th minute.  After taking a narrow lead into the break, Sevilla went on to double their advantage through Gemma Gili Giner. The 29-year-old sent a first-time finish soaring into the top corner to score in a second consecutive game. Villarreal’s Fatou Kanteh netted her first goal of the Liga F season to halve the deficit, but a late Toni Payne strike ensured Sevilla clinched all three points.

Levante Las Planas 0-2 Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad required just 11 minutes to break the deadlock in Saturday’s away clash with Levante Las Planas. Andreia Jacinto’s deep free-kick found the unmarked Synne Jensen, who guided the ball into the bottom corner to score in a seventh consecutive game for the Basque side. Sanni Franssi then tapped in from close range to put the visitors in complete control. Real Sociedad ultimately saw out the remainder of the contest to extend their unbeaten streak to six competitive games. As for the hosts, they have failed to win any of their last seven matches across all competitions.

Madrid CFF 3-1 Real Betis

Madrid CFF fought back from behind to continue their quest for Champions League qualification. Julia Aguado headed in from Natalia Montilla’s deep cross to give Real Betis an early lead. The visitors’ slender advantage lasted just two minutes as the hosts quickly hit back through Karen Araya. Aida Esteve went on to drive the ball home from the edge of the box to turn the game in the home side’s favour. Cristina Librán added a third in the second half to wrap up Madrid’s first win of 2024, moving them level on points with the top three.

Costa Adeje Tenerife 1-1 Athletic Club

After playing out a goalless first half, Tenerife found the breakthrough in the opening 15 minutes of the second period. Thaís produced a deft header from Natalia Ramos’ free-kick to give the home side the upper hand. Athletic pulled themselves level in the 79th minute when Nerea Nevado thumped the ball home off the inside of the far post to score her first goal of the campaign. While there were to be no further goals, Tenerife’s Claudia Blanco received a second yellow card in the closing stages. The draw leaves eighth-placed Athletic two points clear of their hosts, who currently occupy ninth position.

Granada 0-1 Sporting de Huelva

Huelva finally claimed their first win of the Liga F season in Sunday’s meeting with relegation rivals Granada. The close-fought encounter was ultimately decided by a 31st-minute penalty. Laia Balleste kept her composure to send Sandra Estévez the wrong way and register her third league goal of the campaign. The hosts kept Granada at bay for the remainder of the contest, largely thanks to an inspired performance from Slovenian goalkeeper, Zala Meršnik. While Huelva remain rooted to the bottom of the table, they move to within five points of 14th-placed Villarreal, who they face on Saturday. As for Granada, they stay in 15th position and three points adrift from safety.

Eibar 1-0 Valencia

Valencia’s poor run of form continued with a narrow defeat in their away meeting with Eibar. Following a goalless hour of football, the Basque side broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute. Esperanza Pizarro collected the ball on the edge of the box, before firing past Valencia goalkeeper, Antonia Canales. While the visitors have now lost seven of their last eight competitive matches, Eibar have recorded three consecutive home victories.

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