Barça 6-0 Athletic Club: Big win on day of celebration
A lovely Spring day at the Estadi Johan Cruyff saw Barça run out 6-0 winners against Athletic Club (6-0) on the final Liga F matchday of the season. It was also a chance to celebrate the league win with the fans at home after they were mathematically confirmed as champions the week before. Next up, the Champions League final on 24 May (kick off 6.00pm CEST).
Straight into it
The blaugranes took to the field wearing the special Barça, Spotify and Travis Scott collaboration jersey and made a lightning quick start to delight the 5,552 in attendance at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. It was only the second minute when Aitana Bonmatí side-footed past Mariasun in the Athletic goal in a Salma cutback from the left (1-0).
Brace for Liga F top scorer
No let up and chances came thick and fast for Alexia, Pajor, Salma and Graham to make it two. Ultimately, the Liga F "Pichichi" Ewa Pajor steered in the second after a great carry and cross by Aitana from the right (2-0, min 21).
The blaugranes were delighting their fans, with constant applause rippling from the stands, and they would have more to celebrate, as the relentless Graham beat her marker down there right to put in a perfect ball for Pajor to score her second (3-0, min 37), her 25th in the league.
More of the same
This team just keep going and would have got a fourth goal soon after the break with a bit more luck and a less attentive visiting keeper. Pere Romeu started to ring the changes, with Claudia Pina, Engen and Brugts replacing Patri Guijarro, Graham Hansen and Fridolina Rolfö to much applause. As she often does, Pina made her presence felt on the pitch, finishing a parried rebound after a Pajor shot to make it 4-0 (min 74).
Pina and Brugts make it six
Alexia and Aitana then left the pitch to great applause to make way for Schertenleib and first-team debutee Clara Serrajordi. Then, with just one minute of regular time left, Pina pounced to make it two after good team pressure (5-0, min 89). Still time for Brugts to make it six with a good shift of the ball and shot after Schertenleib showed incredible skill to keep possession (min 90+1) while the crowd were chanting "Champions!"
Match over and the blaugranes' tenth Liga F trophy was lifted to great cheer. All eyes now turn to the UEFA Women's Champions League final against Arsenal in Lisbon (24 May, 6.00pm CEST), with the Copa de la Reina final against Atlético Madrid in Huesca also still to come in June.
MATCH STATS
Barça 6
Athletic Club 0
Barça: Cata Coll, Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Mapi León, Rölfo (Brugts, 60'), Alexia Putellas (Schertenleib, 75'), Patri Guijarro (Engen, 59'), Aitana Bonmatí (Serrajordi, 81'), Graham Hansen (Pina, 59'), Ewa Pajor, Salma Paralluelo.
Athletic Club: Mariasun, Nevado, Landaluze, Maddi (Balerdi), Facila (Vilariño, 57'), Zubieta, Baños, Valero, Pinedo (Agote, 57'), Ortega (Nahikari, 65'), Amezaga (Oguiza, 65').
Goals: 1-0, Aitana Bonmatí (min 2); 2-0, Pajor (min 21); 3-0, Pajor (min 37); 4-0, Pina (min 74); 5-0, Pina (min 89); 6-0, Brugts (min 90+1).
Referee: Alicia Espinosa Ríos. Yellow card shown to Valero (Athletic Club).
Attendance: 5,552