April 22, (THEWILL) – Barcelona scored five goals in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg in front of a record crowd of 91,648 at the Nou Camp.
Aitana Bonmati and Caroline Graham Hansen scored in the first 10 minutes for the Spanish champions, who won the treble last season. The lead was then extended by Jenni Hermoso and skipper Alexia Putellas. Jill Roord of Wolfsburg got a goal back in the second half, but Putellas’ penalty made it 5-1.
Wolfsburg, the two-time champions, were blown away early on by Barcelona, who broke the previous record for a women’s match, which was set when they beat El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in the quarter-finals last month in front of a 91,553-strong crowd.
The reigning champions put on a show at the Nou Camp, with Bonmati, who received a standing ovation when she came off in the second half, punishing the Germans when she was played in behind within three minutes.
Graham Hansen cut onto her left foot and curled it into the corner to make it 2-0. Fridolina Rolfo almost scored seconds later when she fired inches wide, and Wolfsburg had yet to get going.
When Svenja Huth was set up by Roord, the visitors came near, but the Wolfsburg striker was denied by a goalline block and a stop in short succession.
Barcelona pushed for a third and fourth goal before halftime, with Hermoso coolly dispatching Maria Torrejon’s cut-back and Putellas slipping in behind.
Tollejon, Putellas, and Rolfo all had chances, while Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic had a goal ruled out for offside early in the second half after a VAR check. Then, Claudia Pina hit the crossbar, and substitute Asisat Oshoala, back from her latest injury, was stopped from close range.
Roord gave Wolfsburg a ray of hope when she slid the ball past goalkeeper Sandra Panos in the 70th minute, but they will face a tall challenge in the second leg to turn things around especially as Putellas’ late penalty made it 5-1.
Following an outstanding display by the holders, the record crowd of 91,648 fans sang, banged drums, and waved flags during full-time celebrations.
Wolfsburg must now come from behind at home against a Barcelona team that has won every game since a 1-1 draw with PSG in the opening leg of the Champions League semi-finals last year.
On Sunday, April 24th, Lyon, who are seven-time champions, will face French rivals Paris Saint-Germain in the second semi-final.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
