UWCL: Claudia Pina guides Barcelona to win over Chelsea but Stamford Bridge awaits | OneFootball

FC Barcelona took a major step toward another UEFA Women’s Champions League final with a commanding 4–1 victory over Chelsea. The action unfolded in front of a record crowd of 5,750 fans at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.

However, the second leg is yet to come, giving Chelsea the chance to push for the trophy that has evaded them.

Ewa Pajor, Clàudia Pina and Irene Paredes were responsible for Barcelona’s four goals, while Sandy Baltimore earned one back for Chelsea.

Starting XIs

Barcelona

Cata; Ona, Mapi, Irene, Brugts, Alexia, Patri, Aitana, Graham, Pajor, Salma.

Chelsea

Hampton; Bronze, Björn, Bright, Baltimore, Walsh, Cuthbert, Kaneryd, Kaptein, Beever-Jones, Mayra.

Pina and Alexia bring Barça’s glory

Barcelona missed an early golden opportunity when Alexia Putellas saw her penalty saved by Hannah Hampton following a Nathalie Björn handball.

“I couldn’t let that frustration affect me for 90 minutes,” the two-time Ballon d’Or winner said, and she proved it with a display full of resilience and leadership.

The breakthrough arrived on the half-hour mark. Salma Paralluelo won a one-on-one duel against former Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze, and Alexia, picking up the loose ball, turned in midfield to thread a perfect pass between Baltimore and Millie Bright. Pajor sprinted onto it and finished coolly at Hampton’s far post to make it 1–0. And that is the reason that team needed a striker like the Polish international.

Chelsea’s best chance came just before half-time with a well-taken free-kick by Aggie Beever-Jones, but Cata Coll reacted brilliantly to push the shot wide and preserve the lead. As the Blues couldn’t use offensive transitions and give the ball to Mayra Ramirez, those free-kicks were Chelsea’s main hope of a breakthrough.

Pina, the current top scorer in the UWCL, began the game on the bench, but her entrance changed everything. Within minutes, she doubled the lead with her eighth goal of the tournament. The Catalan striker began her run from deep inside her own half and, with Bronze chasing behind, slotted past Hampton.

Chelsea responded through Baltimore, who finished a perfect cross after an impressive dribbling sequence from Catarina Macario down the right. The American switched the play to the far post, where Baltimore was left unmarked to cut the deficit and inject tension into the game.

Ten decisive Pina minutes

Embed from Getty Images

Barcelona reacted immediately. Paredes made it 3-1 with a powerful header from a corner, just moments after Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor made the decision to substitute Björn for Naomi Girma — a rare change right before a set piece. Bompastor later insisted the substitution had no impact on the defensive setup.

Pina then sealed the scoreline with her ninth UWCL goal, finishing off a delightful backheel assist from Alexia. The chemistry between the two felt almost maternal — a bond built on mutual understanding and elegance.

Barça head coach Pere Romeu praised his side’s tactical execution: “In Europe, we enjoy these kinds of matches. When opponents step up and leave space, we can truly show our strengths.”

Embed from Getty Images

Meanwhile, Sonia Bompastor reflected on a tough night: “You have to be brave on the ball against Barcelona. We were too reactive, not proactive enough.”

It was not a good game for Chelsea, nor for the referees, but the second leg is yet to be played, and Stamford Bridge awaits to host a potential Blues comeback. If the London side is capable to score in the first minutes, with the help of the crowd, Lisbon’s flight ticket will be decided in a very long match. Next Sunday, on April 27th, the second leg semi-finals will be at Stamford Bridge.

Related articles from Her Football Hub: