PARIS — Alexia Putellas’ second-half double
sank
Real Madrid on Tuesday as reigning champions Barcelona came from behind to
win 3–1 in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.
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Madrid took a surprise lead against their
all-conquering rivals when Olga Carmona fired in early at the Alfredo di
Stefano Stadium and the home side had chances to extend their advantage, with
Esther Gonzalez hitting the post.
Instead, Barca came storming back, aided by a soft
penalty, which was converted by Ballon d’Or winner Putellas, before Claudia
Pina and then Putellas’ second completed a devastating turnaround.
“We knew it would be a difficult tie but we didn’t
expect such high pressure from Madrid,” said Barcelona coach Jonatan Giraldez.
“We took time to react but in the second half we
controlled the game better and we were more clinical in attack.”
It will take a monumental effort from Madrid to
prevent the
Catalans reaching the semis, particularly as the second leg will be
played at Camp Nou, in front of what is set to be a world-record crowd.
Real Madrid said they were unable to use the
Santiago Bernabeu for this first leg due to ongoing renovation work at the
club’s main ground.
Barcelona came into the women’s Clasico as hot
favorites after winning all five of their competitive meetings since Madrid
officially launched their women’s team in 2020.
They retained their Primera Division title earlier
this month with six games to spare, by thrashing Real Madrid 5–0.
But Madrid were far from over-awed this time, their
performance offering hope they can continue to close the gap next season, even
if their chances of progress look remote.
Putellas missed an early chance at the back post and
then it was the Spaniard who was at fault for the opener, her sloppy pass
allowing Real Madrid to break.
Esther weaved through and as
Barca’s defense were
drawn inside, she shifted the ball left for Olga, who guided a cool finish into
the corner.
Esther struck the post from a hooked effort towards
goal and then she went through again, this time shooting straight at Sandra
Panos. But Barcelona improved in the second half, rejuvenated by their
equalizer in the 53rd minute.
Fridolina Rolfoe’s cross reached the back post and
as the ball bounced, Olga arrived late, her knee making contact with Barca’s
Caroline Graham Hansen, who made the most of the fall.
After consulting the replay, Finnish referee Lina
Lehtovaara gave the penalty. Misa confronted Putellas on the spot but the
attempted mind-games had no effect, Putellas finding the corner.
With the score level, Barcelona were suddenly
sharper and more assertive and by the final 10 minutes a weary Madrid were
hanging on.
Barca would not be denied as Hansen’s cut-back found
Aitana Bonmati in the area and her shot fell kindly for Pina, who drove low and
into the corner.
Madrid had lost the match and in injury-time they
likely lost the tie, as Barcelona broke down the right and Putellas was left
free. She scooped in a delightful finish to make it three.
Prolific striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto earlier
scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain won 2–1 away to Bayern Munich.
Katoto, who is PSG’s all-time top scorer at the age
of just 23, netted a 20th-minute opener and then headed home in the 71st minute
for the French champions at the Allianz Arena.
However, German international
Klara Buehl smashed in
a late free-kick to keep Bayern’s hopes alive going into the return.
PSG’s women are hoping to go all the way in Europe after
ending Lyon’s run of 14 consecutive French titles last season.
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