In a stunning display of superiority, FC Barcelona soundly defeated VfL Wolfsburg 4-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals on March 19, 2025. This matchup served as a repeat of their intense final from 2023, where Barcelona also emerged victorious, but this time, the margin was significantly wider.
The match took place at the VfL Wolfsburg Arena, a venue packed to its 30,000 capacity, where the home team faced an uphill battle right from the start. Barcelona, the current champions and dominant force in women's football, showcased their attacking flair and tactical prowess throughout the encounter.
Barcelona opened the scoring in the 26th minute through a rather unfortunate own goal by Caitlin Dijkstra. The goal was initiated by Aitana Bonmatí’s incisive run and cross, which Dijkstra misplayed under pressure from Ewa Pajor, who was making her return to her former club. Her contribution was felt immediately as she set the tone of the match, reflecting a narrative of revenge against her old side.
Following an intense first half characterized by Barcelona's control, the team extended their lead early in the second half. Irene Paredes hurried home a corner in the 50th minute, benefiting from a moment of indecision in the Wolfsburg defense. Just three minutes later, Salma Paralluelo added a third goal after collecting a rebound, putting the match almost beyond reach.
Despite the mounting pressure, Wolfsburg's Janina Minge provided a glimmer of hope for the hosts, scoring a header in the 79th minute from a corner kick, drawing the score to 3-1. This moment prompted roars from the local fans, igniting a flicker of optimism in the fading light of the game.
However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed when Schertenleib, who had just entered the pitch, finalized the scoreline with an impressive curling strike from outside the box in the 88th minute. The goal highlighted her potential and brought the match to its conclusion.
Throughout the game, Barcelona maintained a considerable advantage, dominating possession with a staggering 288 completed passes compared to Wolfsburg's 99. The scoreline could have been even more lopsided had it not been for several key saves by Wolfsburg's goalkeeper, Anna Borbe, who thwarted shots from Alexia Putella and Mapi León.
Barcelona’s coach, Pere Romeu, expressed pride in his team's performance afterward. He noted, "This is a big step for us, but we still have one more match to play. We need to stay focused and not get complacent." Defender Graham echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the team's solid defensive performance and their attacking capabilities.
As the match concluded with a final score of 4-1, Barcelona heads into the second leg with a sizable advantage, set to take place in their home ground on March 27, 2025. They will only need a draw to secure their place in the semifinals, while Wolfsburg faces a daunting challenge of having to win by four goals to progress.
This hard-fought match not only re-establishes Barcelona's dominance in European women's football but also serves as a reminder of the fierce competition present within the UWCL. With the next leg on the horizon, fans from both sides eagerly anticipate another chapter in this thrilling rivalry.
