On March 18, 2025, FC Barcelona showcased their dominance on the pitch by defeating Real Madrid in the qualifiers for the prestigious Copa de la Reina final. This victory secured Barcelona's place in the final against Atlético de Madrid and continued their impressive pursuit of another title in this tournament.
Barcelona entered the match fielding their strongest lineup, opting not to make any rotations. Real Madrid, too, showed their commitment by starting with their best lineup, determined to flip the script on their rivals. Despite their efforts, they could do nothing to overcome the well-drilled Barcelona side.
From the outset, Barcelona controlled the game, dictating the tempo and creating significant chances. Their attacking intent paid off in the 24th minute when Patri Guijarro found the back of the net with a well-placed strike, following a brilliant nutmeg by Graham Hansen on Angeldahl. "Despite playing better than the week before, Real Madrid struggled to keep possession and were often pinned back by Barcelona’s high press," reported Her Football Hub, highlighting the challenges faced by the Madrid side.
Just after half-time, the lead was doubled as Ewa Pajor capitalized on a mistake during Real Madrid's construction play. Pajor intercepted the ball from Maria Méndez, strode into the box, and despite Misa Rodriguez's efforts, her shot grazed past the goalkeeper. Fridolina Rolfö then made a significant impact off the bench, delivering a precise cross that Pajor headed into the goal, scoring Barcelona's third.
As the match drew towards its conclusion, Real Madrid’s Athenea del Castillo managed to create a late chance, but her effort was thwarted after a skillful escape from defenders Esmee Brugts and Mapi León, resulting in a shot that missed the target. In stoppage time, the consolation for Real came as Signe Brunn scored for Madrid, finding the back post with a cross from Olga Carmona, which added a silver lining to an otherwise disappointing match for the Whites.
This result extends Barcelona’s unbeaten streak against their rivals Madrid across all competitions, solidifying their supremacy in the women’s game. The win doesn't just reflect the current season's form but also showcases the growing gap between the two teams.
Looking ahead, the Copa de la Reina final against Atlético de Madrid is set for June 8, 2025. The host city for this highly anticipated matchup has yet to be confirmed, leading to some criticism. "After the match, Ona Batlle was critical of the fact that the RFEF has not determined the host city. However, it is not an issue that the locker room is worried about at this moment," emphasized Batlle. With the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals looming and another Clásico scheduled for March 22, Barcelona's focus remains sharpened on their immediate challenges.
As Barcelona fans gear up for the final, the team’s focus on improvement and maintaining their streak continues. They have shown resilience and talent at every turn, and with the current momentum, they look poised to reclaim the Copa de la Reina title.
