Athletic Club 0-3 Barça: A step closer to the final (0-3)

First part of the job done with the return leg to come. FC Barcelona have defeated Athletic Club 0-3 at the San Mamés stadium in this Copa de la Reina semifinal first leg. A brace by Aitana and a goal by Salma Paralluelo crowned a professional performance by Jonatan Giráldez' side who gave the Basque outfit few opportunities.

Aitana brace and blaugrana domination

Jonatan Giráldez' side rose to the occasion in front of the 23,490 spectators in this wonderful setting.

The goals came early, the Balon d'Or winner firing into the top corner to put Barça ahead in the 14th minute (0-1), showing again why she won the prestigious award. This blaugrana side are driven by desire and Aitana is a great example of just that, as she went on to finish good work by Graham just two minutes later to make it 0-2 (min.16).

The attacks continued as Athletic Bilbao retreated, Patri, Claudia Pina and Engen all going close to scoring the third, but Naclares and her posts stood firm. 0-2 the halftime score.

Rolfo returns and Salma seals the win

The game had become one way traffic and there was even more joy for the blaugranes as Fridolina Rolfo came on after 78 minutes for the first time since September 2023 after recovering from a right knee injury.

The changes brought fresh impetus to the Catalans, while the Basques had no response, and substitute Salma Paralluelo sealed the win with an unstoppable shot across the opposing keeper for 0-3 (min. 79) to leave the visitors in a good position to qualify for the final with the return leg at Estadi Johan Cruyff to come.

GAME STATS

ATHLETIC CLUB 0
BARÇA 3

Athletic Club: Nanclares, Landaluze, Maddi, Bibi, Elexpuru, Zubieta, Nerea Nevado, Ortega (Amezaga, min. 78), Mariana (Pinedo, min. 65), Azkona (Zugasti, min. 85), Nahikari (Oguiza, min. 78)

Barça: Paños, Paredes, Pina (Vicky, min. 66) Marta, Mariona (Salma, min.66) Graham (Rolfo, min 78), Patri, Aitana, Walsh, O. Batlle (Bruna, min. 78), Engen (Bronze, min. 66).

Goals: 0-1, Aitana (min.14); 0-2, Aitana (min, 16); 0-3, Salma (min. 79)

Referees: Elisabeth Calvo Valentín. Yellow cards for Hansen and Zubieta