FC Barcelona Femení took a huge step towards the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League with an emphatic 6-2 victory over rivals Real Madrid Femenino in their quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

Pere Romeu’s side made a flying start, racing into a two-goal lead within the opening 13 minutes thanks to strikes from Ewa Pajor and Esmee Brugts.

Real Madrid responded through Linda Caicedo at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, but Irene Paredes quickly restored Barcelona’s two-goal cushion before the break.

The visitors continued their dominance in the second half, with Pajor grabbing her second and Vicky Lopez adding another to extend the advantage. Caicedo netted again for Madrid to offer a glimmer of hope, but Alexia Putellas converted a late penalty to seal a comprehensive win for the Catalan giants.

After the match, Putellas acknowledged there is still room for improvement despite the convincing result. She also expressed excitement about the return leg, stressing that the job is not yet finished as Barcelona aim to complete the task in front of their home supporters.

FC Barcelona Femení, now unbeaten in their last 25 matches in all competitions, continue to underline their dominance despite finishing as runners-up to Arsenal Women last season.

The three-time champions, who have reached five consecutive finals, are closing in on an eighth straight semi-final appearance—even without injured Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí.

In her absence, Alexia Putellas stepped up, playing a key role in setting up the opener for leading scorer Ewa Pajor.

A clever lofted pass from Patri Guijarro found Putellas, who squared the ball for Pajor to tap into an empty net for her fifth Champions League goal of the season.

Barcelona doubled their advantage when Esmee Brugts met Vicky Lopez’s looping cross. Goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez managed to get a hand to it, but the ball looped into the air and dropped over the line, with defender Maëlle Lakrar unable to clear.

Pajor came close to adding another but pushed the ball too far when through on goal, allowing Rodríguez to intervene.

Moments later, Real Madrid Femenino responded as Linda Caicedo broke through the defence, rounded goalkeeper Cata Coll, and calmly slotted home.

Real Madrid Femenino’s joy proved short-lived, as just two minutes later Irene Paredes rose highest to power home a header from a corner and restore FC Barcelona Femení’s commanding lead.

There was no let-up from Barcelona. Ewa Pajor grabbed her second goal before the hour mark with a composed finish after being sent through by young midfielder Clara Serrajordi.

The visitors continued to dominate, with Vicky López adding a fifth goal, calmly slotting home from Caroline Graham Hansen’s cut-back as Barcelona piled further misery on their rivals.

The Catalan side have now won all four meetings against Madrid this season, scoring 16 goals while conceding just twice.

Madrid’s difficult run continues, with another clash against Barcelona in Liga F at the weekend before next week’s second leg—making this the first of three Clásicos in just nine days.

One bright spot for the hosts was Linda Caicedo, who once again troubled Barcelona’s defence, curling a superb strike into the top corner from the edge of the box to reduce the deficit.

However, Alexia Putellas put the tie firmly beyond doubt late on, converting from the penalty spot after Hansen was brought down, capping a dominant display.

Madrid, still chasing their first-ever Women’s Champions League semi-final appearance, now face a daunting task. They have beaten Barcelona just once in 23 meetings, with the Catalans winning the other 22.

After the match, Patri Guijarro admitted there were minor defensive lapses but praised the overall performance, expressing confidence that her side can replicate the display in the return leg.