La Real eliminates Levante (1-2), with a great second half, and goes to the semifinals of the Copa de la Reina
Euskaraz irakurri: Realak Levante kanporatu du (1-2), bigarren zatian bikain jokatuz, eta Erregina Kopako finalerdietan da
Real Sociedad has qualifiedthis Thursday, for the semifinals of the Queen’s Cup of the 2023-24 season, by eliminating Levante in the quarterfinalsa team he has defeated by 1-2 in the match played at the Buñol Sports City. Sanni Franssi, in the 57th minute, and Manuela Vanegas, in the 70th, have been the authors of the goals that they have given victory to Real; the Guipuzcoan team has signed an almost perfect second halfand has deserved the victory which, finally, has been awarded.
La Real faced in Buñol a very difficult tie, against a rival, Levante, which is in third position in League F, with 34 points, nine more than Real, which is seventh. José Luis Sánchez Vera’s team, playing in their own field, entered the game with a lot of rhythm, but Natalia Arroyo’s team also looked for the opponent’s goal from the beginning. Andrea Tarazona, the local goalkeeper, had to intervene already in the fourth minute, in the first attack of the San Sebastian squad, which warned very early that it was looking for victory.
The response from the Valencian team, however, has been overwhelming. In the seventh minute, Alba Redondo skillfully went deep from the left, and centered into the small area, where Natasa Andonova, after a first rebound from Elene Lete, scrambled well to score. The 1-0 was a fact, and Real was forced to come back.
The goal strengthened Levante, who controlled Real well until the break. Playing with strength in the center of the field, and looking for speed in the attacks on the wing, the local players have not had too much trouble to maintain their advantage, against a Real team that was not losing its face in the tie. In the 40th minute, Amaiur sent the ball into the net, but he was offside, and the goal did not go up on the scoreboard, which did not register any more movements before the intermission.
Greater decision, on the part of the Real
In the second half, Real entered the game with greater determination, ready to look for an equalizer. He almost achieved it in the 52nd minute, in an action in which the Levante defense failed to clear the ball, and Méndez, ultimately, took the ball when he was sneaking in. Franssi, almost straight away, shot with intention, and his shot was very close to tying the match.
Amaiur and Franssi each had good chances to score the equalizer, at a start to the second half that invited hope. It was evident that Real deserved the 1-1 lead, and achieved it in the twelfth minute of the second half, through Sanni Franssi, who took advantage of a good move by Jensen.
Right at game time, Nerea Eizagirre has starred in a spectacular action. The Real captain picked up the ball on the edge of the area, looked for the space, shot with her right foot, and the ball, in a perfect parabola, went to the crossbar. Barely five minutes later, Andreia Jacinto shot and again the woodwork, in this case the post, prevented the Txuri-Urdin team from taking the lead.
The excellent play shown by Real in the second half has been rewarded, once again, in the 25th minute. Manuela Vanegas, in a direct free kick, brought out her excellent left-footed strike, and scored a beautiful goal, on a side kick. Natalia Arroyo’s team undoubtedly deserved that 1-2, which they had already touched in several actions.
Real has not given in, as they have played with great authority already with the score in their favor. Levante has only created danger in an action that took place in stoppage time, in which Ana Tejada prevented Alba Redondo’s shot from inside the area from going towards Lete’s goal. It has been the prelude to the great joy of the players of the Txuri-Urdin team, who are already waiting for a rival for the semifinals.
Data sheet
1 – Lift: Tarazona; Lloris, Méndez, Mendoza, Paula Tomás (Antonia, d. 76); Paula Fernández, Leire Baños (Estela, m. 76), Ángela Sosa (Daniela, m. 57); Érika (Gabi Nunes, d. 62), Andonova and Alba Redondo.
2 – Royal Society: Lethe; Cecilia (Emma, d. 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). He has cautioned Lloris and Tomás, on behalf of Levante, and Vanegas, Tejada, Jensen and Andreia, on behalf of Real.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the quarterfinals of the Queen’s Cup, played at the Buñol Sports City, in front of about 250 spectators.
Source: Eitb

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