Barça earn commanding lead over Chelsea | OneFootball

Reigning Champions League holders Barcelona made easy work of the current WSL leaders with a 4-1 first leg semi-final victory in Catalonia.

The home side should have taken the lead earlier in the game when they were awarded a penalty for a handball with just 12 minutes on the clock. Alexia Putellas stepped up to take the spot-kick but Hannah Hampton stayed strong to keep it out.

Putellas made up for that miss though by winning the ball high up the pitch, turning, and then feeding a pass through for Ewa Major to finish.

Barcelona doubled their lead in the 70th minute when a silky attacking move ended with Ona Batlle putting in a ball into the box that substitute Cláudia Pina was able to convert from close range.

That two goal lead didn't last long though, Sandy Baltimore pulled one back for Chelsea four minutes later when she received the ball on the left and sent a low drive into the corner past Cata Coll.

Pere Romeu's team regained their two-goal advantage in the 82nd minute with a goal that Sonia Bompastor will not be happy to see her team concede. Pina's corner from the left found Irene Parades clear of her marker to head in for 3-1.

Barça added to their lead late on when Putellas and Pina combined with the former back-heeling the ball for the latter to make it 4-1 on the night and to earn her side an authoritative advantage heading into the second leg.