Nigeria Players Abroad
Gift Monday scores as Barcelona thrash Tenerife out of Copa de la Reina
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria forward, Gift Monday scored for Costa Adeje Tenerife as they bowed out 6-2 to FC Barcelona in the Round of 16 of the Copa de la Reina.
The last game of the year for both sides saw the Spanish champions take a two-goal lead in the first 23 minutes.
Irene Paredes headed in the opener for the European champions from a corner kick.
Ewa Pajor doubled the with a left-footed strike, which beat the opponent’s goalie inside the box in the 23rd minute.
The host fought back with two goals before the end of the first half to ensure the first period ended in a 2-2 draw.
Monday started the resurgence in the 41st minute before Aleksandra Zaremba made it 2-2 in the additional minutes of the first half.
The second half was one-way traffic as the Catalan side showed class with four un-replied goals.
Putellas converted from the spot to restore their lead in the 65th minute the same way Pajor scored her second goal of the match after successive foul inside the box by the host defenders.
Pajor completed her hat trick in the additional minutes of the second half after Putellas’ second in the 87th minute.
FC Barcelona scaled through the seemingly first-half comeback by the host to sail through to the quarter-final.
Monday was replaced by Moroccan player, Sakina Ouzraoui Diki in the 58th minute.
She has scored four goals in the league and two goals in two Copa de la Reina games.
Her compatriot, Rinsola Babajide was substituted for Koko in the 73rd minute.
Costa Adeje Tenerife will play its first game of the new year against Deportivo La Coruna on January 11, 2025.
