In Barcelona, Spain, the local women’s team showed resilience after star player Alexia Putellas’s missed opportunity from the penalty spot to secure a significant 4-1 victory against Chelsea in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League semifinals.
Putellas had her penalty attempt thwarted by Chelsea’s goalkeeper Hannah Hampton in the 12th minute, leaving the door open for an intense response from Barcelona. Substitute Claudia Pina came off the bench to make a substantial impact by netting two goals, while contributions from Ewa Pajor and Irene Paredes extended the home team’s lead.
Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore managed to find the back of the net, bringing temporary hope to the visitors. However, it was not enough to halt Barcelona’s advance.
This victory marks the eighth consecutive win for Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League, showcasing their dominance in the tournament. These two teams have now met in the semifinals for the third consecutive season, with Barcelona advancing each time as reigning champions.
Ewa Pajor opened the scoring in the 35th minute, setting Barcelona on course for a triumphant evening. Claudia Pina’s entry in the 70th minute sparked further momentum with another goal added to the scoreboard. Baltimore’s strike for Chelsea came four minutes later, narrowing the gap momentarily, but Paredes reclaimed a comfortable cushion for Barcelona in the 82nd minute.
To cap off the performance, Claudia Pina closed the night with her second goal in the 90th minute, ensuring Barcelona’s strong position heading into the next leg at the renowned Johan Cruyff stadium.