Barcelona will face Chelsea in the semifinal of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, after a 5-2 aggregate win over SK Brann.
The Blaugrana held a 2-1 lead from their first leg clash in Norway, but cruised past the visitors on Thursday thanks to goals from Aitana Bonmatí and Fridalina Rolfö before the hour mark. Brann did momentarily reduce the deficit, but a late goal from Patri Guijarro restored Barcelona’s comfortable advantage.
Unlike last year, Jonatan Giráldez’s side will host the first leg of this semifinal. Barcelona won the first leg in 2022/23, before settling for a 1-1 draw at Spotify Camp Nou. They went on to lift the trophy in Eindhoven on June 3.
As it happened
Barcelona extended their aggregate advantage before the half-hour mark on Thursday evening, as Aitana Bonmatí flicked a tidy effort over goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Blaugrana doubled their lead on the night shortly before the hour mark, with Fridalina Rolfö picking up the pieces after Mikalsen’s failed attempt to clear the danger following pinball inside the penalty area.
Tomine Svendheim’s 70th-minute goal proved to be nothing more than a consolatory goal for Brann though, with Patri Guijarro slotting home from close range 18 minutes later to conform Barcelona’s progression.
There will be plenty on the line as they meet Chelsea next month, with both Jonatan Giráldez and Emma Hayes set to depart their respective clubs this summer.
The lineups
BAR: Coll; Rolfö, Engen, Paredes, Bronze; Putellas, Walsh, Bonmatí; Caldentey, Brugts, Graham Hansen
BRA: Mikalsen; Tynnilä, Østenstad, Stenevik; Lund, Haugland, Kielland, Kvamme; Engesvik, Gaupset; Crummer
