Knowing a victory would give Rosengård every chance of qualifying for their first appearance in the knockout stages of a UEFA competition since 2020/21, Ieva Cederström began the contest without the services of her captain Caroline Seger and joint-top domestic goalscorer Olivia Holdt due to injury.
On the other hand, defending UEFA Women’s Champions League holders Barcelona remain undefeated across all of their 13 competitive games this season – including their opening two matches of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
ROS: Mukasa; Brown, Obaze, Arnardóttir, Wik; Öling, Jansson, Bredgaard; Larsson, Olivia Schough, Andersson.
BAR: Paños; Bronze, Engen, Torrejón, Batlle; Walsh, Guijarro, Bonmatí; Brugts, Paralluelo, Caldentey
Victorious in their previous six away matches with a staggering aggregate scoreline of 18-2 in their favour, Barcelona appeared intent on breaking the deadlock almost immediately from the restart as the in-form figure of Salma Paralluelo saw her strike from inside of the penalty area acrobatically tipped over the woodwork by Angel Mukasa.
However, there was nothing that the Rosengård goalkeeper could do to prevent Barcelona from taking the lead in the 16th minute as defender Jessica Wik inadvertently fired an incoming cross from Aitana Bonmatí into her own net.
Despite beginning the contest in Malmo on the back foot, Rosengård responded positively to going behind, as only the fingertips of Barcelona goalkeeper Sandra Paños and the accompanying paintball of the crossbar prevented Hanna Andersson’s fearsome strike from bringing the hosts’ level.
Already with an eye for goal, Paralluelo got her name on the scoresheet in the 37th minute, as the in-form Spanish international culminated a clinical attacking move in and around the area with a sublime finish into the far corner.
An inspired Paralluelo would then play a major part in Barcelona wrapping up the game on the stroke of half-time, as she laid the ball off for Patricia Guijarro to unleash a stunning strike from distance that flew past the outstretched grasp of Mukasa into the top corner of the net.
Already assured of all three points, Barcelona got themselves on the scoresheet again for a fourth time shortly after the hour-mark as Bonmatí finished nicely from close range courtesy of Lucy Bronze’s delicious delivery into the danger area.
With another five-star show on the horizon, Jonatan Giráldez’s side earned a standing ovation for their on-pitch performance in the 73rd minute as Mariona Caldentey confidently converted from the penalty spot after Ria Öling clumsily brought down substitute Clàudia Pina.
The left-hand post would deny Caldentey a quick-fire double only three minutes later, with 17-year-old forward Vicky López seeing her effort well-saved by Mukasa. With injury time upon the contest, Martina Fernandez completed another unforgettable evening for Barcelona, as she volleyed home a sixth goal for the visitors directly from Pina’s inswinging corner.
Another dominating victory for Liga F leaders Barcelona almost certainly confirms their progression into the knockout stages of this season’s competition. Meanwhile, Rosengård remain at the foot of Group G after losing all three of their matches. The two teams will not have to wait long until they come up against each other again, as they face off in their reverse UEFA Women’s Champions League group-stage fixture in Spain in just over a week’s time.
