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Paris (AFP) – Alexia Putellas’ second-half double sank Actual Madrid on Tuesday as reigning champions Barcelona got here from behind to win 3-1 within the first leg of the Girls’s Champions League quarter-finals.
Madrid took a shock lead in opposition to their all-conquering rivals when Olga Carmona fired in early on the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium and the house aspect had possibilities to increase their benefit, with Esther Gonzalez hitting the put up.
As an alternative, Barca got here storming again, aided by a delicate penalty, which was transformed by Ballon d’Or winner Putellas, earlier than Claudia Pina after which Putellas’ second accomplished a devastating turnaround.
“We knew it could be a troublesome tie however we didn’t anticipate such excessive strain from Madrid,” mentioned Barcelona coach Jonatan Giraldez.
“We took time to react however within the second half we managed the sport higher and we had been extra scientific in assault.”
It is going to take a monumental effort from Madrid to stop the Catalans reaching the semis, notably because the second leg will likely be performed at Camp Nou, in entrance of what’s set to be a world-record crowd.
Actual Madrid mentioned they had been unable to make use of the Santiago Bernabeu for this primary leg on account of ongoing renovation work on the membership’s predominant floor.
Barcelona got here into the ladies’s Clasico as scorching favourites after profitable all 5 of their aggressive conferences since Madrid formally launched their ladies’s crew in 2020.
They retained their Primera Division title earlier this month with six video games to spare, by thrashing Actual Madrid 5-0.
However Madrid had been removed from over-awed this time, their efficiency providing hope they will proceed to shut the hole subsequent season, even when their probabilities of progress look distant.
Putellas missed an early likelihood on the again put up after which it was the Spaniard who was at fault for the opener, her sloppy go permitting Actual Madrid to interrupt.
Esther weaved by way of and as Barca’s defence had been drawn inside, she shifted the ball left for Olga, who guided a cool end into the nook.
Esther struck the put up from a hooked effort in the direction of objective after which she went by way of once more, this time taking pictures straight at Sandra Panos. However Barcelona improved within the second half, rejuvenated by their equaliser within the 53rd minute.
Fridolina Rolfoe’s cross reached the again put up and because the ball bounced, Olga arrived late, her knee making contact with Barca’s Caroline Graham Hansen, who made the many of the fall.
After consulting the replay, Finnish referee Lina Lehtovaara gave the penalty. Misa confronted Putellas on the spot however the tried mind-games had no impact, Putellas discovering the nook.
With the rating stage, Barcelona had been all of a sudden sharper and extra assertive and by the ultimate 10 minutes a weary Madrid had been hanging on.
Barca wouldn’t be denied as Hansen’s cut-back discovered Aitana Bonmati within the space and her shot fell kindly for Pina, who drove low and into the nook.
Madrid had misplaced the match and in injury-time they possible misplaced the tie, as Barcelona broke down the appropriate and Putellas was left free. She scooped in a pleasant end to make it three.
Prolific striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto earlier scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain gained 2-1 away to Bayern Munich.
Katoto, who’s PSG’s all-time high scorer on the age of simply 23, netted a Twentieth-minute opener after which headed house within the 71st minute for the French champions on the Allianz Area.
Nevertheless, German worldwide Klara Buehl smashed in a late free-kick to maintain Bayern’s hopes alive going into the return.
PSG’s ladies are hoping to go all the way in which in Europe after ending Lyon’s run of 14 consecutive French titles final season.
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