UEFA Women's Champions League: Dominant Barcelona thrash Wolfsburg to put one foot in semi-finals
By Matt Jones
Published 19/03/2025 at 19:55 GMT
React to this story
Barcelona Femeni's quest for a third successive UEFA Women's Champions League crown continued as they hammered Wolfsburg 4-1 in Germany. A sensational late strike from Sydney Schertenleib means the Spanish outfit have one foot in the semi-finals thanks to a dominant performance in the first leg of their last-eight tie. Irene Paredes and Salma Paralluelo were also on target for Pere Romeu's team.
'We've got a great manager' - Pickford 'excited' to work with Tuchel
Video credit: SNTV
Defending champions Barcelona took a huge step towards the semi-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League as they beat Wolfsburg 4-1 in the first leg of their last-eight tie.
A first-half Caitlin Dijkstra own goal was followed by strikes from Irene Paredes and Salma Paralluelo after the break in Germany.
Janina Minge pulled one back for the hosts, only for youngster Sydney Schertenleib to steal the show with a sensational late strike.
It means Pere Romeu's side have a commanding advantage ahead of the return fixture next week.
The Spanish outfit dominated the first half, enjoying 75% of the possession throughout the contest.
However, they still struggled to find a route through to goal, managing just two shots on target across the opening 45 minutes.
- When could Arsenal and Aston Villa meet in UCL? Schedule for quarter-finals, semi-finals and final
- Yamal names Barcelona as 'favourites' to win Champions League
- 'Unacceptable and appalling' Rabiot abuse condemned as Kounde urges 'firm' action
Indeed, it took an own goal for them to finally open the scoring, as Dijkstra inadvertently slid past her own keeper after meeting Aitana BonmatĂ's cross from the right.
For Wolfsburg, things became a little more difficult, as they did not manage a single touch in their opponent's box before the break.
And it did not get any easier upon the resumption either, as a quick-fire double from Barcelona put the game to bed.
Paredes made it 2-0 when she connected with Mapi Leon's cross-shot, before Paralluelo converted for a three-goal advantage shortly afterwards.
Just two minutes and 30 seconds separated the two strikes, and a disastrous start to the half could have been even worse for Tommy Stroot's team, only for Caroline Graham Hansen to have her shot saved.
The Spanish outfit - three-time winners of the UEFA Women's Champions League - were threatening to run riot, but their opponents had other ideas.
Minge's bullet header from near the penalty spot from Lynn Wilms' corner made it 3-1 on the night, and appeared to give Wolfsburg a lifeline ahead of the return leg.
But a screamer from 18-year-old Schertenleib in the dying embers of the game restored the three-goal cushion, as she wonderfully whipped into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Watch the Premier League and Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement