Barcelona Beats Real Madrid in UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter Final

Barcelona moved within reach of a record eighth consecutive semifinal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League after defeating Real Madrid 6-2 in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.

Ewa Pajor scored twice, while Esmee Brugts, Irene Paredes, Vicky López and Alexia Putellas also found the net, giving the Catalan side a commanding advantage ahead of the return leg in Barcelona. Linda Caicedo scored once in each half for Real Madrid, which will need a strong performance at Camp Nou to reach its first semifinal.

Barcelona, three-time champions, has reached the final in five consecutive seasons, including last year’s loss to Arsenal. The team topped the league stage unbeaten, scoring 20 goals and conceding only three. Real Madrid, making their second straight quarterfinal appearance, finished seventh in the league phase and were eliminated by Arsenal in last season’s last eight.

“We came here to play a good match and win, and we’ve done just that,” Paredes said. “It’s a good result. We’ll prepare just as thoroughly for the second leg because we want to perform just as well. The coaching staff prepared very well and we executed it very well. When things go your way so early on, it helps. We have to be happy. We’re a team that wants to win everything, always.”

Barcelona opened the scoring through Pajor and Brugts, before Caicedo reduced the deficit in the 30th minute. Paredes, Pajor and López extended the lead to 5-1, followed by Caicedo’s second goal in the 66th minute. Putellas converted a late penalty in the 89th minute to seal the result.

“Everything went wrong today,” Madrid coach Pau Quesada said. “The team fell apart after the first goal. We then found ourselves 2-1 down, and it looked like we were making a comeback, but the next goal from a set piece finished us off. The gap to Barça is what it is. They’ve got that extra gear, and we have to match it. On the day you don’t, this is what happens to you.”