They say that after the storm, the sun always comes out. This happened to FC Barcelona, who, after a painful defeat against Madrid in Liga F, have recovered and convincingly defeated Wolfsburg. Esmee Brugts and Salma Paralluelo, who were substitutes in the last match, have been the key players of the game.
Barça came into the match with a great advantage thanks to the 1-4 in the first leg and was looking to seal the pass to the semifinals of the top club competition. However, the blaugranas had lost the league Clásico a few days ago and needed to regain their form. Additionally, Pere Romeu couldn't count on Graham Hansen from the start due to minor discomfort in the training session prior to the match.
Salma and Esmee Assertive
Wolfsburg started the match pressing high, but Barça managed to overcome the first line of pressure with great ease. Salma didn't take long to score the first of the afternoon at the Johan with a cross shot after a magnificent long pass from Aitana. Moments later, a set-piece action almost allowed Esmee to score the second of the match.
The same Salma Paralluelo was responsible for scoring the 2-0 (6-1 on aggregate) thanks to a good back pass from Esmee Brugts. Wolfsburg, despite needing to come back in the tie, couldn't create danger, and Cata Coll didn't have to intervene in the first half.
Brugts capped off her great first half by scoring another goal for Barça, which meant the seventh on aggregate. The Dutch player made a powerful shot from the edge of the area that Borbe couldn't reach to score the 3-0 of the match. Salma and Esmee were the most outstanding players of the first half after being substitutes in the Clásico, showing the team's high competitive level.
Clàudia Pina and Mapi León Seal the Rout
Pere Romeu decided to rest Irene Paredes at halftime to bring in Ingrid Engen. Wolfsburg tried to be more offensive than they had been in the first half. Clàudia Pina replaced Ewa Pajor in the 60th minute and needed only two minutes on the field to score by finishing at the near post.
Beerensteyn reduced the deficit for Wolfsburg thanks to a rebound after a clearance by Cata Coll. Even so, Clàudia Pina reappeared to score the 5-1 (9-2) after a magnificent free-kick shot from the edge of the area. Mapi León didn't want to miss her appointment with the goal and, also from a free-kick, scored the sixth, tenth on aggregate.
After advancing to the semifinals, Barça is already waiting for an opponent for the next round. Chelsea or Manchester City are the two possible opponents vying for the pass moments after the Barça-Wolfsburg match ends. The Manchester side comes with a 2-0 advantage after the first leg.