Barcelona Femeni returned to the Spotify Camp Nou for the first time in nearly three years following its renovation — and they marked the occasion in the only way they know how. A 6-0 dismantling of Real Madrid, a 12-2 aggregate scoreline, and a record-extending eighth consecutive Women Champions League semi-final. Over 60,000 supporters packed the rebuilt stadium on Thursday evening, making it the fourth-highest attendance in the competition history.
Alexia Putellas set the tone in the eighth minute, marking her 500th Barcelona appearance with her 230th goal for the club — becoming the first Spanish player to reach 30 goals in women European club competition. Caroline Graham Hansen added the second with a powerful header from a Putellas cross, before Irene Paredes headed in a third from a Hansen corner in the 27th minute. Barcelona went into half-time 4-0 up after Ewa Pajor tapped home her seventh Champions League goal of the season.
The second half was more of the same. Graham Hansen chipped a fifth over goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez 10 minutes after the restart, before substitute Clara Serrajordi set up Esmee Brugts to tap in the sixth. Real Madrid, who had conceded six in the first leg as well, were never given a moment to breathe.
The result extends an extraordinary head-to-head record. Barcelona have now won 24 of their 25 meetings with Madrid in all competitions, including all 13 cup ties by a combined aggregate of 51-7. In the space of just over a week, Barcelona beat Madrid by a combined score of 15-2 across three matches including a league game.
Pere Romeu side now face Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, having already beaten the German champions 7-1 in the Women Champions League league phase earlier this season. Barcelona lost the final to Arsenal last year and are hunting the title back. On the evidence of Thursday night at a sold-out Camp Nou, they look every bit capable of doing exactly that.
