The Levante UD Women's team is eliminated from the Copa de la Reina (1-2) by Real Sociedad
The Levante UD Women's team was eliminated (1-2) in the quarter-finals of the Copa de la Reina against a Real Sociedad that secured a fair victory at the Ciudad Deportiva. Despite Sánchez Vera's side taking an early lead and holding their opponents for much of the first half, the second half saw a resurgence from the opposition, similar to the match against Granada CF in the league. Real Sociedad capitalized on Levante's uncertainties, scoring two goals that tilted the tie in favor of the Basque side.
Alba Redondo led the Granota offensive in search of the first goal to temporarily tip the balance in favor of the home team. In a decisive move down the left, she broke through her marker and provided a pass back for Andonova to slot into the net. With a 1-0 lead, things looked promising for Levante, especially since Real Sociedad struggled to pose a significant threat to Tarazona's goal. However, this changed after halftime.
In the second half, Real Sociedad's Nordic duo disrupted Levante UD's defensive structure. In the 57th minute, after a combination between Jensen and Franssi, the latter equalized. After the 1-1, the white-and-blue team hit the woodwork twice, but with 20 minutes remaining, Manuela Vanegas shattered the net with a powerful and well-placed free-kick. Following this, the blue-and-red squad struggled to react, and the passage to the semifinals definitively went to the Basque side.
MATCH DETAILS.
Levante UD: Tarazona; Lloris, Méndez, Mendoza, Paula Tomás (Antonia, m.76); Paula Fernández, Leire Baños (Estela, m.76), Ángela Sosa (Daniela, m.57); Érika (Gabi Nunes, m.62), Andonova, and Alba Redondo.
Real Sociedad: Lete; Cecilia (Emma, m.53), Tejada, Vanegas, Bernabé; Andreia Jacinto, Apari, Eizagirre; Jensen, Franssi, and Amaiur (Mirari, m.84).
Goals: 1-0, m.7: Andonova. 1-1, m.57: Franssi, 1-2, m.70: Vanegas.
Referee: Andrea Firvida (Aragonese Committee). Booked Lloris, Tomás for the home team, and Vanegas, Tejada, Jensen, and Andreia for the visitors.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the quarter-finals of the Copa de la Reina played at the Ciudad Deportiva de Buñol with around 250 spectators.
