Barcelona moved closer to a record-extending eighth straight semi-final in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday with a 6-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of the quarter-finals.
Ewa Pajor scored twice, and Esmee Brugts, Irene Paredes, Vicky López and Alexia Putellas added a goal each in Madrid to take the Catalan club one step closer to the last four ISkdu5sh.
Linda Caicedo scored a goal in each half for Madrid, who need a big comeback in Barcelona next week to reach their first semi-final.
Barcelona, three-time champions, has reached the final in five consecutive seasons. Last year it lost the final to Arsenal.
Barcelona topped the league stage with an undefeated season with twenty goals scored and three conceded. Madrid were eliminated from the last eight by Arsenal in the second consecutive quarter-final last season. Finished seventh in the competition phase.
“We came here to play a good game and win, and that’s exactly what we did,” Paredes said. «It’s a good result. We will prepare just as well for the second leg because we want to perform just as well. The coaching staff prepared very well and we executed it very well. If things go as early as you want, it helps. We have to be happy. We are a team that always wants to win everything.»
Barcelona led 2-0 at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium with goals from Pajor and Brugts before Caicedo pulled the hosts closer in the 30th.
Paredes, Pajor and López scored again for Barcelona for a 5–1 lead before Caicedo’s second goal in the 66th. Putellas then converted an 89th minute penalty.
«Everything went wrong today,» said Madrid coach Pau Quesada. «The team fell apart after the first goal. We were 2-1 down and it looked like we were making a comeback, but the next goal from a set piece finished us off. The gap with Barça is what it is. They have that extra equipment and we have to match it. The day you don’t, this is what happens to you.»
Published on March 26, 2026
