FC Barcelona's exhibition in Montjuïc to qualify as group leaders on a perfect afternoon. After the doubts caused in the first leg in Manchester, Romeu's team continues to demonstrate that it is the main candidate for the Champions League. Pina, Aitana, and Alexia, three players who always appear in important moments, scored the three goals that gave Barça the victory.
The blaugrana team arrived at the match after securing their qualification in the last Champions League matchday against Hammarby. Still, they had to win by at least two goals to advance as group leaders. Before the kickoff, Aitana showed the fans the 'The Best' award along with the players who formed the best XI of the year.
Alexia Putellas and Graham Hansen started the match on the bench as they were returning from injury. Esmee Brugts entered the line-up as the left-back, and Clàudia Pina, Pajor, and Salma formed the offensive trio. Although the match started at 6:45 PM, the stands gradually filled up, and fans continued to enter until halftime.
Clàudia Pina Finds the Reward after 45 Impeccable Minutes from Barça
Barça started the match by dominating Manchester City, and Salma Paralluelo had the first great chance in the 3rd minute. The dominance was absolute, and Ewa Pajor had a header opportunity from a corner kick. Romeu's team took up to 5 corners in the first quarter of an hour of play.
The first arrival of the English team came after the 20th minute following a great transition that ended in Cata Coll's hands. However, the clearest chances were still for Barça, and the game's dynamics suggested that the first goal wouldn't take long to arrive. Aitana had one of the clearest chances of the first half after a great recovery, attempting to chip it over Keating without success.
Before reaching the 40th minute, Roord hit the crossbar with a magnificent shot that shook Barça's goal. Clàudia Pina was responsible for scoring the first goal of the match just before halftime, taking advantage of a rebound inside the area. The blaugrana team scored a deserved goal at the moment that hurt the English team the most.
Aitana and Alexia Certify the Passage as Leaders
The second half started just like the first ended. Ewa Pajor and Clàudia Pina had two very clear chances in the first three minutes of play. Barça dominated the match, the attacks were constant, and City remained subdued.
In the 57th minute, the one who always appears in important moments, Aitana Bonmatí, scored again. The Sant Pere de Ribes player received a precise pass into space from Ewa Pajor to finish in front of the English goalkeeper and put the score at 2-0.
Alexia Putellas also wanted to join the scoring. She entered in the 67th minute, and two minutes later, she was already celebrating her goal after a magnificent shot from the edge of the area (3-0). Manchester City still couldn't get past midfield, and Barça's chances were constant.
In the final minutes, the match calmed down, and Barça defended with the ball. Romeu's team now awaits an opponent for the next round and will face Wolfsburg, Arsenal, or Real Madrid.