Mataró edge Sant Andreu in thriller to win third Spanish league title

CN Mataró are champions of Spain once again after defeating CN Sant Andreu 10-9 in a dramatic third and deciding match of the Women’s División de Honor playoff final.

Just days before both clubs travel to Malta for the Women’s Champions League Final Four, two of Europe’s best teams delivered another classic encounter at a packed Pere Serrat pool. In the end, it was Dani Ballart’s side who held their nerve to secure the third league title in club history.

The atmosphere was electric from the opening whistle as supporters from both clubs filled the stands. Mataró struck first through Roemer before Paula Camus levelled for Sant Andreu. Queralt Antón gave the hosts the lead, but the visitors responded as the teams traded goals throughout an entertaining opening quarter that ended 3-3.

Mataró began to gain control in the second period. Roemer continued her outstanding evening with two more goals, while Kearns also found the scoresheet as the visitors opened up a two-goal advantage. Despite strong resistance from Sant Andreu, Mataró carried a 6-5 lead into halftime.

The decisive moments arrived in the third quarter. Roemer scored again to make it 7-5 before Elena Ruiz responded for the hosts. Hauschild restored Mataró’s two-goal cushion, and goalkeeper Mariona Terré then produced one of the key moments of the match by saving a penalty.

Moments later, a VAR review awarded a crucial goal to Martina Clavería, extending Mataró’s lead to 9-6 heading into the final period.

Sant Andreu refused to surrender. Alice Williams and Alba Muñoz inspired a late comeback, while Clavería struck once more for Mataró to make it 10-7 with four minutes remaining.

Muñoz then scored twice in quick succession to reduce the deficit to a single goal at 10-9 with less than two minutes left. The home side pushed desperately for an equaliser that would have forced a penalty shootout, but Terré and the Mataró defence stood firm through a tense finish.

The victory completes a memorable domestic campaign for Mataró and provides a huge confidence boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final against Olympiacos in Malta. Sant Andreu, meanwhile, can take pride in a remarkable season and will now turn their attention to their own European challenge.