Barcelona have qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League after claiming three points in their Group D clash with Hammarby in front of 18,746 fans at Stockholm’s Tele2 Arena on Thursday night.
Despite lacking both Alexia Putellas and Keira Walsh in midfield, the Blaugrana had established a two-goal lead by the break in the Swedish capital, with Ewa Pajor slotting home from close range before doubling her tally from a corner just before half-time.
Hammarby held on well for much of the second half, fashioning chances of their own, but Barcelona ultimately proved too strong as Aitana Bonmatí rounded off the scoring with ten minutes left to play.
As it happened
Despite a bright start in the opening exchanges for Barcelona, the majority of the sizeable crowd inside the Tele2 Arena were swiftly on their feet as a foul on Julie Blakstad halted a promising counterattack. Patri Guijarro was booked for her challenge on the former Manchester City star, with the incident sparking life into a Hammarby side that needed to win by at least nine goals to stand a chance of progressing to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Of course, putting nine goals past the reigning champions of this tournament would be no mean feat – but Bajen looked lively, with Joanna Andersson teeing up Anna Jøsendal though her cross was ultimately dealt with by Irene Paredes at the heart of the visitors’ back line.
Hammarby’s challenge intensified further when, with just 7 minutes on the matchday clock, Barça took the lead through a close-range finish from Ewa Pajor. The Blaugrana had been rewarded for their patience, with Clàudia Pina able to poke the ball through to the feet of the Polish forward inside the box.
Embed from Getty ImagesPere Romeu’s side were in control from that point onwards, confident in the knowledge that victory in Stockholm – regardless of the scoreline – would seal their progression to the final eight of this tournament. There was momentary concern just before the 20th minute as another Jøsendal delivery from the left looked to threaten, but Ona Batlle was perfectly positioned to hoof the danger away for a corner.
Hammarby’s best chance of the first half came between two golden opportunities for the visitors. Just seconds after Aitana Bonmatí had curled over the crossbar, Ellen Wangerheim found herself unable to supply her shot with adequate power after another Jøsendal delivery split the Barcelona defence. Things would quickly turn worse for Bajen, as Pajor doubled her tally two minutes later from a Mapi León corner.
Martin Sjögren’s side did not take defeat lying down, though; fighting valiantly throughout the second period to restore pride. Cathinka Tandberg and Smilla Vallotto were both halted by Coll before the hour mark, with Tandberg going on to tangle with Ellen Wangerheim soon after as the pair fought to get on the end of a cross from the left flank.
Prior to her substitution, Esmee Brugts looked to be Barcelona’s best asset in attack as she fashioned two chances in the space off just five minutes. The Dutch international was first denied by an Anna Tamminen save, before her first-time strike flew inches wide of the post as she connected with a cutback from Pina.
But Barcelona would find that elusive third goal eventually, with two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin recipient, Aitana Bonmatí, slotting home from twelve yards after neat work from Patri Guijarro and Kika Nazareth.
Hammarby’s fairytale UWCL campaign will end next Wednesday as they travel to face St Pölten, while Barcelona prepare to go head-to-head with Manchester City at the Estadí Olímpic Lluís Companys for the top spot in Group D.
The lineups
HAM: Tamminen; J Andersson, Nyström, Carlsson, Lennartsson; Joramo; Vallotto; Blakstad, Wangerheim, Jøsendal; Tandberg
BAR: Coll; Rolfö, León, Paredes, Batlle; Pina, Patri, Aitana; Brugts, Pajor, Graham Hansen
FEATURED PHOTO: Linnea Rheborg – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images