Real Madrid tried, but could not contain a powerful Barcelona and fell 6-2 at home. Now, with two more matches against its eternal rival, it remains to be seen whether it can show its mettle or at least avoid defeat in all three Clasicos.
Another rout to add to the tally. The 1-3 loss at Montjuic to Real Madrid a year ago in league play is merely a small stain in Barcelona's history, as the team once again routed the white-clad side on Wednesday and has practically sealed its passage to the semifinals of the Women's Champions League. It will be the seventh consecutive season that the Blaugrana play in the semifinals, having reached the final in six of those campaigns.
Just half an hour had passed when Pere Romeu's team was already ahead on the scoreboard, and not even Linda Caicedo's brace allowed Pau Quesada's side to close the gap in the 2-6 loss at Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium. Now, the white-clad team will have to surprise and win by five goals in Montjuic if it wants to turn the tie around.
With Wednesday's victory, Barcelona reached 23 wins against one loss in 24 editions of the Women's El Clasico, including those matches played when the Madrid-based team was still known as CD Tacón. And although it could not extend its streak of clean sheets against Real Madrid to four matches, it was its fourth consecutive victory.
Ewa Pajor set the tone for the rout in the 6th minute, and in the 13th, Esmee Brugts made it 2-0. Linda Caicedo tried to keep the Merengues in the fight at the half-hour mark, but her joy lasted two minutes, as Irene Paredes restored the two-goal lead and the Blaugrana went into halftime with a 1-3 advantage, a margin they doubled in the second half.
For the Madrid-based team, it was Caicedo again who tried to salvage some pride in the 66th minute, making the score 2-5 after Pajor's second goal and Vicky Lopez's first, who in the 62nd minute completed the 'manita.' While the sixth and final goal came via a penalty in the 89th minute, courtesy of Alexia Putellas after a play that required a VAR review.
Barcelona will look to seal its place in the semifinals on Thursday, April 2. Before that match, the two teams will also face each other in Liga F on Sunday, April 29, meaning the Merengues will have to quickly turn the page to avoid three consecutive heavy defeats.
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