It took striker Asisat Oshoala just four days to register her second hattrick for Barcelona in the Spanish Women’s League.
The Nigerian Super Falcons forward has been in fine form with nine goals in just five games.
On Wednesday (25 January) she was instrumental in the demolition of Levantes Las Planas, with three goals (25th, 56th, 63rd) to her name as the Catalans emerged 7-0 victors.
Her rich vein of form continued on Sunday (29 January) – this time Granadilla Tenerife being hammered 6-0, with the Nigerian the chief destroyer with another three strikes (8th, 12th, 27th) before she was taken off and replaced by compatriot Gift Monday.
Oshoala has now netted 13 league goals this season.
The Super Falcons will be hoping this rich vein of form continues at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup where Nigeria is drawn in Group B against the co-hosts Australia, debutants Republic of Ireland and Canada.
But first her prowess for country will be tested in Leon, Mexico when they take part in the Revelation Cup that is used for World Cup preparations. Running between the 15th and 21st of February, the mini-tournament will feature the hosts, Nigeria, Costa Rica and Colombia.
Oshoala’s League goals this season:
2022:
vs Villareal – 1 (League – 25 Sep)
vs Levante las Planas – 1 (League – 3 Nov)
vs Alaves – 1 (league – 20 Nov)
vs Alhama – 1 (League – 10 Dec)
2023
vs Sevilla – 1 (League – 7 Jan)
vs Sporting Huelva – 2 (League – 14 January)
vs Levante Las Planas – 3 (league Wed, 25 Jan)
vs Granadilla Tenerife – 3 (league Sun, 29 Jan)
The latest win was Barcelona’s 16th of the 2023 campaign and are yet to lose or draw a match.
The Catalans further rewrote the history books with the win against Levante Las Planas – their 50th league victory in a row, an achievement no professional football – male or female – has ever managed.
They last lost a match back in June 2021 when they went down 4-3 to Atletico Madrid in an away encounter.
According to the FIFA records, the longest winning streak was in the French championship from December 2011 to January 2014, when Olympique Lyon Women registered 46 back to back wins.
It took Barcelona Women from 6 June 2021 to the Levante Las Planas success to notch up 50 victories – achieved through winning the last matches of the 2020/21 season, and a had a remarkable 2021/22 where they had a 100 percent record. To reach their milestone they won all their first 15 league fixtures of the current season. In that period, they found the back of net 247 times, with just 19 conceded.
Barcelona Women have extended the winning streak to 51 with the victory over Granadilla Tenerife.
By Matlhomola Morake
