Super Falcons captain Asisat Oshoala played a crucial role on Friday evening as Barcelona Femeni defeated rivals Atletico Madrid 1-0 to qualify for the semi-final of the 2019/2020 UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL).
With Barcelona Femeni declared Champions of the Liga Iberdrola following the suspension of the league due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UWCL returned this week to crown the Champions of Europe.
Named among the starting XI for her first competitive game in five months, Oshoala and her teammates were a handful for the very organised Atletico defence. The Liga Iberdrola Champions were however unable to find a breakthrough in the first half of the game.
In the second half, Oshoala was put through on goal and would have easily tucked in the chance but the Nigerian striker slipped as her shot ended up wide of the Atleti goal.
The Champions kept probing and soon found the breakthrough in the 80th minute when Oshoala’s miscued acrobatic strike found teammate Kheira Hamraoui who tucked it in with aplomb as Barcelona ran away 1-0 winners.
Oshoala was withdrawn two minutes after the goal following another impressive performance in a Barcelona shirt.
“Atletico Madrid are a very good side,” Oshoala said to the media after the game. “Getting the goal towards the end of the game was very good for us as it gives us more confidence and a different mindset going to the next game.
“No matter what time we get the goal the important thing is winning and that’s what big teams do, just make sure you get the goal whichever way,” she added.
The win means the Spanish Champions and last year’s UWCL finalists progress to the semi-final of the competition as their quest for Europe’s top prize continues.
