Super Falcons forward Rinsola Babajide showcased her talent on Sunday, scoring an early goal in UD Tenerife’s 5-1 loss to Barcelona at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in a thrilling Liga F encounter.
Babajide wasted no time making an impact, finding the net just two minutes into the match. She capitalized on a well-timed pass from Mari Jose after an excellent buildup on the right flank, giving Tenerife an early and surprising lead against the reigning European champions.
However, Barcelona responded in style, equalizing in the 37th minute with a spectacular long-range strike from Irene Paredes. Just three minutes later, Ewa Pajor tapped in after a series of precise passes, putting the hosts ahead.
The momentum firmly shifted to Barcelona, who extended their lead with a penalty from Graham Hansen before halftime. Hansen calmly converted to give the Catalan side a commanding 3-1 advantage at the break.
In the second half, Barcelona maintained their dominance. Claudia Pina added the fourth goal in the 60th minute with a precise finish, and Esmee Brugts capped the scoring in the 77th minute after finding space inside the box.
Despite the defeat, Babajide stood out with her skillful performance, earning praise for her determination and attacking threat before being substituted in the second half. The Nigerian forward has been a standout for Tenerife this season, contributing three goals and one assist in nine league appearances.
With this win, Barcelona remains unbeaten and atop the Liga F standings, boasting 33 points from 11 matches. Meanwhile, UD Tenerife sits in seventh place with 16 points, seeking to bounce back in the coming games.
