Málaga CF Femenino were back in action at La Rosaleda stadium for the third round of the Copa de la Reina, pitting the Blue and Whites against Rayo Vallecano Femenino in a one-legged tie.
Ayala’s starting-11 consisted of María Arrabal, Encarni, Ruth, Silvia Mérida, Marina, Lorena, María Cortés, Teté, Clo, Futu and Torralvo.
There were 1,700 Malaguista fans at La Rosaleda cheering on MCFF who were up against a team from the top flight, Liga Iberdrola, two divisions ahead of the Primera Nacional in which the Blue and Whites compete.
Rayo Vallecano, with former Malaguista Paula Fernández in the ranks, kicked off the match with a constant presence around María Arrabal’s goal, who saved the team in minute 8, deflecting a corner from Yoko, and then in 17’ clearing a Pauleta free kick from in front of the target.
The Madrid rival had another couple of chances before the 30-minute mark. An attempt by Millene hit the post and a miraculous action by Silvia Mérida who cleared a shot by Pauleta.
After the first third of the match focused on containment, Ayala’s girls had more presence in the rival area, piling the pressure on to get closer to Rayo’s goal. In 27’, Futu recovered a ball on the right and passed to Sonia Torralvo who shot towards the centre of the goal for Larqué to save twice.
With the scoreboard still all square at half-time, everything was still to play for at La Rosaleda.
There was a lot of back and forth at the start of the second half, although with a lesser pace than the first, with a comfortable Málaga on the Martiricos pitch.
Just after an hour of play, three successful minutes for the visitors were key to the future of the match. Paula launched a corner from the left with her right leg that was headed into goal by Esther (0-1, 62').
After this goal, Ayala made the first substitutions, bringing on Farfán and Judith for Ruth and Lorena. They barely had time to get on the pitch when Rayo Vallecano scored again. An assist from Aedo from the left was converted by Pauleta (0-2, 65').
Clo tried her luck with a shot from outside the area and Torralvo also had her chances, but they didn’t manage to get a goal.
First Olmedo and Bertuchi for Marina and Clo; and then Pastora who came on in place of Teté, also took part in #MálagaRayo.
The difference in category was definitive in this third-round match in which MCFF gave their all in front of the fans, being the only Primera Nacional side to reach this level of the competition.
Málaga CF Femenino bids farewell to the Copa de la Reina at La Rosaleda, after getting through two rounds, defeating CE Seagull at Roma Luz (2-0) and Zaragoza CFF at Martiricos (0-0, on penalties).
Congratulations on your great Cup competition, team!