Barcelona Dominates on Path to Semi-Finals

Barcelona reached the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League, sending a clear message to the rest of Europe about their status as favourites. The team overcame the bitter taste of their first defeat in a classic at Montjuic over the weekend with another resounding victory against Wolfsburg (5-1), this time at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. Salma Paralluelo, alongside Claudia Pina from the bench, both scored doubles in this impressive display.

The match, which seemed a mere formality after the 1-4 first-leg result in Germany, followed the expected script as Barcelona aimed to avoid any unnecessary complacency. A German loss of possession in their own half and Aitana Bonmatí's vision for the final pass allowed the reigning European champions to exploit Salma Paralluelo's speed. She was as quick as she was decisive, scoring with her left foot, a shot that was impossible for goalkeeper Anneke Borbe to stop.

With a four-goal lead in the tie, more than enough, the team maintained their intensity, accustomed to dominating in the F League and in Europe in recent years. The relentless attack continued with a shot from Brugts, deflected by the German defence, and Salma Paralluelo's second goal, a powerful finish in the Wolfsburg area after another impressive team move from Barcelona.

It seemed the Bundesliga runners-up had weathered the storm when, just before half-time, they were hit with Barcelona's third blow of the afternoon in Sant Joan Despí, an unstoppable long-range shot from Brugts.

With no other aim than to avoid a scandalous defeat and to end their Champions League journey honourably, Wolfsburg adjusted their strategy with offensive changes, which at least allowed them to level the game somewhat in the second half. This shift in play did not prevent Claudia Pina from scoring Barcelona's fourth goal just three minutes after stepping onto the pitch, but it did allow Tommy Stroot's team to score a consolation goal through Beerensteyn.

However, Barcelona, a voracious team, was not satisfied with their haul. Claudia Pina completed another double with a true masterpiece from a free-kick at the edge of the area, and Mapi León cleared the cobwebs from the German goal with her left foot. There was no better ending for the team's seventh consecutive access to the Champions League semi-finals, a team firmly established in success.