If there’s one thing Barça Femení never tires of, it’s winning. Pere Romeu’s team is a football machine, and they proved it again in the Champions League against Leuven. In front of an enthusiastic Estadi Johan Cruyff, they swept the Belgian side aside to stay top of their group. Three games, three wins, unstoppable.

Dominance without goals

The game began with clear Barça control, and the first chance came quickly. Hansen fired just wide after a fine through ball. Leuven’s ultra-defensive setup forced Barça to use the wings constantly, where Vicky López and Clàudia Pina shone with their dribbling. Brugts and Irene Paredes both came close, but the Belgian defence held firm.

Vicky, the standout of the first half, nearly scored in a messy move, but goalkeeper Seynhaeve pulled off a great save. Most of Barça’s best play flowed through the Kopa Trophy winner, first with a cross to Hansen, then with a brilliant solo move that deserved a finish.

Alexia decisive

As expected, it was Vicky who unlocked the game with another low cross that led to a foul on Hansen. The referee pointed to the spot, and Alexia Putellas converted coolly to make it 1–0 just before half-time, a boost against a resilient Belgian side.

Goals after the break

With the deadlock broken, Barça began to play with greater freedom. Graham Hansen almost doubled the lead but was denied again by the keeper. Moments later, the Norwegian’s persistence paid off when her cross deflected off Everaerts for an own goal.

Pere Romeu then introduced Ewa Pajor, moving Hansen to the right and Vicky to the left. Soon after, a corner from Mapi León found Irene Paredes, who headed home powerfully for 3–0. Special mention for Cata Coll, celebrating her 100th appearance in goal.

Rotations thinking of the Clásico 

With the result secured, Romeu brought on Díaz, Cámara, Kika Nazareth and Sydney for fresh legs. Kika hit the crossbar from an Alexia cross, but no more goals came.

Another commanding Champions League win for Barça, who remain in dazzling form. Next up: El Clásico at Montjuïc on Sunday at 4pm CET a huge match awaits.

MATCH STATS 

Barça, 3
Oud-Heverlee Leuven, 0 

Barça: Cata Coll, Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Mapi León, Brugts, Aitana (Sydney 76’), Aleixandri, Alexia Putellas, Vicky López, Claudia Pina (Ewa Pajor 58’), Hansen 

OH Leuven: Seynhaeve, Everaerts, Mertens, Veefkind, Nagy (Conijnenberg 63’), Bosteels (Heremans 84’), Biesmans, Kuijpers (Janssen 63’), Dekker (Ceuster 45’), Reynders (Hermans 73’), Pusztai 

Goals: 1-0, Alexia Putellas (min 45); 2-0, Everaerts OG (min 55), 3-0, Irene Paredes (min 66) 

Referee: Rium Hussein. Yellows for Aleixandri (Barça) and Veefkind and Conijnenberg (Leuven)

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