Real Madrid 0-5 FC Barcelona: Big El Clásico win in the rain
Another top performance in an El Clásico by Barça Women, as not even the incessant rain at the Alfredo di Stéfano stadium could dampen the blaugranes' enthusiasm for goals in this 0-5 win against Real Madrid. It represents a great stride towards qualifying for the Copa de la Reina final and paves the way nicely for the return leg at Estadi Johan Cruyff (12 March, kick-off 7.00pm CET).
Early goal sets the example
This game looked like it was going to go very much like the previous 16 El Clásicos between the sides when Salma Paralluelo scored the first with just over a minute on the clock. She was quickly on to a great low cross from the right from Graham Hansen to score at the far post. Another goal soon followed as Ewa Pajor showed her goalscoring instincts to put in a rebound after Paralluelo shot against the bar (0-2, min. 13).
Patri and Aitana had their own attempts on goal during the first half, but the goalscorers were destined to add to their tallies. Weir thought she had scored for Real Madrid, but it was correctly ruled out for offside. Then came Pajor again (0-3, min. 29), scoring with a volley that squirmed past Misa in the all-whites' goal.
Her opposite number Cata Coll was also called into action, saving well from Bruun and Antonia, while Patri came to the rescue for a Feller attempt with Cata beaten. However, it was soon 0-4, Salma Paralluelo again, from a second assist by Graham Hansen (0-4, min. 42) in a similar fashion to the first, scoring at the far post to see the game virtually sewn up at break.
Search for five
The rain continued in the second half and so did the search for more goals, but the surface was becoming difficult to play on. It was a question of playing until the final whistle, but the blaugranes wanted to score five to match their achievement in the Super Cup final on 26 January.
The goal finally came 12 minutes before the end, Pajor grabbing her hat-trick by finishing a good team move between María León and Rolfö, which completed a great day at the office and sees Barça with one foot firmly in the Copa de la Reina final.
MATCH STATS
Real Madrid 0
Barça 5
Real Madrid: Misa; Antonia (Sheila 46'), Maria Méndez, Lakrar, Carmona; Toletti (Irune 46'), Angeldal, Weir; Feller (Alba Redondo 77'), Bruun (Athenea 55') and Yasmim (Eva Navarro 55').
Barça: Cata Coll; Batlle (Jana 74'), Paredes, María León, Brugts (Engen 58'); Patri, Aitana, Pina (Schertenleib 74'); Graham (Marta 84'), Pajor and Paralluelo (Rolfö 58').
Goals: 0-1 Salma Paralluelo (min. 2); 0-2 Ewa Pajor (min. 13); 0-3 Ewa Pajor (min. 29); 0-4 Salma Paralluelo (min. 42); 0-5 Ewa Pajor (min. 78).
Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza. Yellow card for Rolfö from Barça.