Oshoala scores in first Barca face-off

Asisat Oshoala was on target for Bay FC as the National Women’s Soccer League lost 5-2 to Barcelona in the highly anticipated international friendly at PayPal Park on Tuesday.

Facing the Catalans for the first time since parting ways with them in February, the 29-year-old Super Falcons striker opened the floodgate of goals by putting the home team ahead on 17 minutes in front of 14,187 fans.

Bay FC celebrated her goal on their Instagram page shortly after, stating, “It had to be Oshoala to score first against her former team.”

She intercepted a pass from the Barcelona goalkeeper near the edge of the box and fired a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal, while Barcelona levelled the match at 1-1 in the 21st minute after Ewa Pajor dribbled down the right side of the field and slotted a pass to Kika Nazareth, who delivered a strike from the edge of the box that snuck inside the left post.

Bay FC fielded 21 players in the match, with Oshoala making way for Anderson at the restart after replicating her scoring form at Barcelona, where she weighed 85 goals in 101 matches between 2019 and 2024, amassing trophies and a litany of individual awards.

The Nigeria international, who has also played for Liverpool and Arsenal, will be expected to deliver the goals for Bay FC when they travel for a road match on Friday against Portland Thorns FC at Providence Park.

The encounter was friendly through and through, as Barcelona players were seen hugging Oshoala one after the other at the sound of the final whistle, celebrating the reunion. The UEFA Champions League champions also took to their social media handles to share their excitement, stating, “Great to see you again, Asisat Oshoala.”

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