Wolfsburg 1-4 Barcelona: Holders storm to first-leg victory

Barcelona put one foot in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals following a dominant 4-1 victory over Wolfsburg in the first leg of their quarter-final clash.

Two goals in three second-half minutes from Irene Paredes and Salma Paralluelo did the damage, after Caitlin Dijkstra’s own-goal had put the Spanish champions ahead.

Wolfsburg will now have to overturn a three-goal deficit in the return leg that takes place at the Estadi Johan Cruyff next Thursday.

After a dominant opening period, Barcelona took the lead in the 26th minute when Aitana Bonmati’s cross was diverted into her own net by Dijkstra inside the box.

Though unable to add to their lead in the first half, with Jana Fernandez and Alexia Putellas going close, Pere Romeu’s side doubled their advantage five minutes after the restart.

Following a short corner routine that caught Wolfsburg napping, Mapi Leon’s wicked delivery into the penalty area was brilliantly turned home by Paredes from close range.

And the result was put beyond doubt three minutes later. Following a lightning break from a Wolfsburg free-kick, Paralluelo’s deflected effort from the right-hand side wrong-footed Anneke Borbe.

Janina Minge thought she had restored some hope for her side late on when she headed Lynn Wilms’ corner beyond Cata Coll, but Barcelona restored their three-goal cushion two minutes from time.

With one of her first touches since coming on as a substitute, Sydney Schertenleib cut inside and curled a wonderful bending effort in off the crossbar to seal a fantastic victory for the Spaniards.