24 matches played, 24 matches won, 136 goals scored, six conceded and one Primera División title secured with six games still remaining. There's no stopping Barcelona Femení in Spain now after the team's 5-0 beatdown of Real Madrid at Estadi Johan Cruyff on Sunday, and it'll again be Real Madrid that's tasked with stopping Barça in Europe when the two sides square off in the Champions League quarterfinals later this month.
The first leg is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, where Barcelona won this season's league fixture 3-1. Real will simply be hoping to keep it close ahead of the return leg at Camp Nou on March 30, and Blaugranes supporters probably wouldn't mind that as almost 100,000 are expected on hand in Catalonia.
Sunday's win was an excellent showcase of why Real Madrid (and almost every other team on the planet) stands zero chance in the UWCL.
Before the first half was over, Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas had a brace. The first was a shot from outside the area that took a heavy deflection to leave the keeper wrong-footed, but the second was a superb run followed by excellent control and a composed finish.
2⃣-0⃣
@alexiaputellas #ElClásico pic.twitter.com/IoXKteQnBb— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) March 13, 2022
Patri Guijarro made it 3-0 on the hour with a venomous half-volley from 20 yards out. Listen to the lovely sounds on this one.
3⃣0⃣
OMG @patri8guijarro pic.twitter.com/IaIGTypehS— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) March 13, 2022
A strong Caroline Graham Hansen run and cross forced an own goal for Barcelona's fourth, and then Jenni Hermoso roofed one at the near post after being played through by Putellas.
EL CINQUÈ!
@Jennihermoso pic.twitter.com/EhCgyBbK3B— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) March 13, 2022
The sell-out crowd of 6,000 then got to cheer on Putellas as she lifted the league trophy. It's Barcelona's third straight since Atlético Madrid won it in 2019.
Ben amunt @alexiaputellas!!! pic.twitter.com/CI61Bq1veJ
— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) March 13, 2022
Barcelona plays Real Sociedad on Wednesday in a Copa de la Reina quarterfinal before the UWCL returns.
