Barcelona dominate Real Madrid, advance to UWCL semi-finals

The result was confirmed on Wednesday in front of a world-record crowd of over 91,000 at Camp Nou for the second leg, with Barca erasing a second-half deficit en route to a 5-2 final score. The home side were put under pressure from their visitors, but eventually the class of the defending UWCL champions shone through.

It initially looked like the hosts would run away with it after scoring early. In the eighth minute, after a flurry of activity in their opponents end, Barcelona took the lead thanks to a floated long-range effort from Mapi León. The 26-year-old collected the ball near the touchline and floated it in, catching Madrid goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez well off her line.

The lead didn't last long, however, as just eight minutes later Olga Carmona found the leveller from the penalty spot. The spot-kick came after Barca defender Irene Paredes was judged to have handled the ball inside the 18-yard box, an act for which she was also shown a yellow card.

Things settled down after the sides traded goals, and Barcelona gained control of the play. Yet despite holding a big possession and shot advantage, the Catalans couldn't find the goal for the remainder of the first half, and, just three minutes into the second half, Madrid made them pay. Midfielder Claudia Zornoza gathered near the centre circle and, seeing Sandra Paños out of position, launched a shot from 40 yards away that glided over the helpless Barcelona 'keeper and into the wide-open net.

Madrid's lead was brief, however, as goals by Aitana Bonmatí and Clàudia Pina in the 52nd and 55th minute, respectively, restored Barcelona's advantage in the match and further widened the gap on the aggregate score. Then, in the 61st minute, reigning Ballon d'Or Féminin and The Best FIFA Women's Player winner Alexia Putellas got herself on the scoresheet, striking from 12 yards out and seeing her low effort trickle fortuitously into the net after Rodríguez wasn't able to handle the shot.

Caroline Graham Hansen then got in on the scoring in the 70th minute, giving her side the three-goal lead they would ultimately take through to the final whistle.