A 2-6 blaugrana victory at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium, now the second with this scoreline against Real Madrid, in a match that FC Barcelona dominated throughout in terms of possession and play. Only individual brilliance by Linda Caicedo managed to unsettle Pere Romeu's side. An attacking display that writes another page in the FC Barcelona record books and leaves the side very favourably placed for the return leg at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Blaugranes take control

The visitors were straight at it, with the first goal coming after just six minutes. Patri Guijarro lifted the ball to Àlexia Putellas who broke the offside trap and crossed for Ewa Pajor to slot in easily. Yet another goal for the Polish striker against Real Madrid. No time for the home side to react, as Barça extended their lead after 13 minutes, with a Vicky López cross turned in by Esmee Brugts after a Misa mishandle. The blaugranes were in control, but a bit of individual brilliance by Linda Caicedo saw her go clear of the defence and round Cata Coll before scoring to make it 2-1 after 30 minutes.

However, any home side hopes of equalising were quelled just two minutes later as Irene Paredes powered in a header from a Clàudia Pina corner to restore the two goal advantage. A good half for Barça in terms of both play and scoreline.

Same again

Real Madrid pushed further up the pitch after the break, but Barça stuck to their game plan. In the 57th minute, Serrajordi slid an excellent pass through to Pajor, who showed quality to score, joining Alexia as highest goalscorer in Clásicos with 13 goals. There was more to come, as great play by Caroline Graham Hansen after 64 minutes ended up in an assist for Vicky López to make it five. All the same, Caicedo popped up again with a great goal (min. 66) to keep the all-whites in the game.

More good news for the blaugranes, as Mapi León came on after 74 minutes – she had been out with injury since 1 February – and then there was one final flourish. as Àlexia Putellas scored an 89th minute penalty after a foul on Graham Hansen to make it 2-6, bringing back memories of another special match with the same scoreline.

MATCH STATS

REAL MADRID 2
BARÇA 6

Reial Madrid: Misa; Eva Navarro, María Méndez, Lakrar, Holmgaard; Weir (Dorado, min 65), Angeldahl, Däbritz (Toletti, min 65); Athenea (Iris Santiago, min 85), Feller (Keukelaar, min 65), Linda Caicedo.

Barça: Cata Coll; Ona Batlle, Paredes, Aïcha (Mapi León, min 74), Brugts; Patri, Serrajordi (Graham, min 60), Alexia; Vicky López (Sydney, min 74), Pajor (Paralluelo, min 67), Pina.

Goals: 0-1, Pajor (min 6); 0-2, Brugts (min 13); 1-2, Linda Caicedo (min 30); 1-3, Irene Paredes (min 32); 1-4, Pajor (min 57); 1-5, Vicky (min 64); 2-5, Linda Caicedo; 2-6, Àlexia (min 89)

Referee team: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi, Stefania Signorelli, Emily Carney. Yellow card shown to Pere Romeu.

 

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