Barcelona are well placed to make it through the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals for an eighth year in a row after a ruthless first-leg display at Real Madrid.
Four years ago at this stage, Barcelona won 3-1 at Madrid in the first leg; that was the scoreline at half-time tonight as Ewa Pajor and Esmee Brugts struck early for the visitors, Linda Caicedo pulled one back and Irene Paredes immediately responded. Pajor and Vicky López struck in the second half before another Linda Caicedo goal and Alexia Putellas' penalty left Barcelona with a comfortable lead ahead of next Thursday's second leg at the Camp Nou.
Key moments
6' Alexia Putellas sets up Pajor for opener
13' Brugts doubles Barcelona lead
30' Linda Caicedo pulls one back
32' Irene Paredes heads in Pina corner
57' Pajor gets her second of the game
64' Vicky López turns in Graham Hansen centre
66' Linda Caicedo strikes again
89' Alexia Putellas converts penalty
Match in brief: Fast start key for Barcelona
Barcelona took the lead after just six minutes, with Alexia Putellas squaring for Pajor to tap in after being played through in the box by Patri Guijarro. Brugts was also involved in the build-up to that goal, and in the 13th minute she was on target herself, her looping header from Vicky López's cross spinning inside the post despite being palmed by Misa Rodríguez and Maëlle Lakrar's efforts on the line. Soon after, Pajor was sent clear, only for Misa Rodríguez to dive at her feet and prevent a shot.
On the half-hour, Madrid reduced arrears as Linda Caicedo advanced into the box and rounded Cata Coll before firing in. However, two minutes later Irene Paredes nodded in a Clàudia Pina corner to restore the visitors' two-goal cushion.
As it happened: Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona
The three-time European champions did not let up after the break, and not long before the hour mark Pajor had another, supplied by Clara Serrajordi's fine pass following a surge from midfield. Caroline Graham Hansen then replaced Serrajordi and promptly centred for Vicky López to make it 5-1.
Linda Caicedo quickly responded, darting in from the left and unleashing an excellent strike into the top corner. But Barcelona had another before the end when Sara Holmgaard brought down Graham Hansen, allowing Alexia Putellas to put away the penalty.
Madrid will look to bounce back on Sunday when they host Barcelona again in Liga F prior to their Camp Nou second-leg trip.
Vodafone Player of the Match: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Alexia Putellas with her award
Alexia Putellas with her awardUEFA via Getty Images
"She played excellently, controlling the game, finding spaces to receive and making penetrative runs beyond that stretched the opposition. Her movement took her all across the pitch, creating chances at every opportunity."
UEFA Technical Observer Group
Guillermo Honrubia, match reporter
Barça have taken a crucial step towards qualifying for the semi-finals after achieving their objective in Madrid: being rock-solid in defence and clinical in attack, while neutralising the home side's counters for most of the match. Ewa Pajor continued her spectacular scoring run against Las Blancas, while Clara Serrajordi, Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro were all in fine form. Pau Quesada's team will need to put in a perfect performance next week to prevent the Blaugrana from reaching their eighth successive semi-final.
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Key stats
Barcelona now have 22 wins in their 23 competitive meetings with Madrid (including four so far this season).
Pajor has now scored 13 goals in nine competitive games against Madrid, and has drawn level with Alexia Putellas as the player with the most goals in the fixture.
Pajor is now up to six goals for the campaign, behind only Arsenal's Alessia Russo on eight.
Vicky López scored one goal in her first 22 UEFA Women's Champions League appearances but has now struck in successive matches in the competition.
Barcelona, in their 11th straight quarter-final, are hoping to increase their record streak of getting through this round seven years in a row.
Line-ups
Real Madrid: Misa Rodríguez; Eva Navarro, María Méndez, Lakrar, Holmgaard; Weir (Irune Dorado 65), Angeldahl, Däbritz (Toletti 65); Athenea (Santiago 85), Feller (Keukelaar 65), Linda Caicedo
Barcelona: Cata Coll; Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes, Camara (Mapi León 74), Brugts; Serrajordi (Graham Hansen 60), Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas; Vicky López (Schertenleib 74), Pajor (Paralluelo 67), Clàudia Pina
Oslo final
What's next?
The second leg will be played at the Camp Nou at 18:45 CET on Thursday 2 April.
The winners face Manchester United or Bayern München in the semi-finals.
Semi-final first legs: 25/26 April
Semi-final second legs: 2/3 May
Final at Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo on 23 May.