Barcelona women delivered a 6-2 thrashing of Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, with Ewa Pajor scoring twice and Alexia Putellas adding a late penalty
Barcelona Women powered into a commanding 6-2 lead over rivals Real Madrid Women in the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
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The Catalans struck early, with Ewa Pajor and Esmee Brugts putting Barcelona 2-0 ahead within 13 minutes. Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo pulled one back, but Irene Paredes restored Barca’s two-goal cushion immediately.
In the second half, Pajor netted her second goal before Vicky Lopez added a fifth. Caicedo scored again for Madrid, giving the hosts some hope, but Alexia Putellas converted a late penalty to complete the 6-2 rout.
Barcelona, unbeaten in their last 25 matches across all competitions, have dominated the Spanish side this season, winning all four encounters and scoring 16 goals to Madrid’s two.
The Catalans, three-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winners, are now poised for their eighth consecutive semi-final appearance despite missing injured three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati.
Pajor opened the scoring after a clever assist from Putellas, who created the opportunity for Barcelona’s top scorer. Brugts doubled the lead, capitalising on a goalkeeping error, while Paredes’ towering header restored a two-goal advantage after Caicedo’s first goal.
Pajor’s second goal came from a through ball by 18-year-old Clara Serrajordi, and Lopez added another finish from Hansen’s cut-back before Caicedo’s second strike.
With the second leg looming and another Clasico in Liga F scheduled this weekend, Barcelona look well-placed to maintain their dominance.
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Madrid, who have never reached the semi-finals, must now secure a rare victory against Barca to stay in contention.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
