Alexia Putellas scored twice as Barcelona overcame a resilient Bayern Munich 4-2 on the night to secure a 5-3 aggregate victory and book their place in the women’s Champions League final.
The Catalan side, now unbeaten in 31 consecutive matches, will face record eight-time winners Lyon in Oslo on 23 May. Lyon progressed after defeating holders Arsenal in Saturday’s other semi-final.
Salma Paralluelo and Ewa Pajor also found the net for Barcelona, who withstood a late onslaught from Bayern in front of 60,000 fans at Camp Nou.
Early Breakthrough
Pere Romeu’s side seized control early. Paralluelo profited from hesitant defending to prod home Graham Hansen’s inviting cross in the 13th minute. Bayern responded swiftly, however, as Linda Dallmann finished off a counter-attack following a defensive lapse.
Putellas restored Barcelona’s lead before half-time, stroking home after Bayern failed to clear a Paralluelo cross. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner had already tested the roof of the net with an audacious flick moments earlier.
Clinical Second Half
Pajor extended the lead early in the second half with a header from Paralluelo’s cross, her ninth goal of the competition making her joint-top scorer. Putellas then added a fourth from close range after a free-kick was nodded into her path, prompting a Mexican wave among the delighted home fans.
The return of playmaker Aitana Bonmati, making her first appearance since December’s leg fracture, drew a rapturous reception. Barcelona will need her influence against their former coach Jonatan Giraldez’s Lyon.
Nervy Finale
Pernille Harder pulled one back for Bayern as Barcelona attempted to play out from the back, setting up a tense finish. Cata Coll produced a fine save to tip Arianna Caruso’s strike onto the crossbar, while Harder had a stoppage-time equaliser ruled out following a VAR review for a foul on Patri Guijarro – a decision that incensed the German side.
Bayern suffered their first defeat in 29 matches and exit at the semi-final stage for the third time, still seeking their first appearance in the final.
Barcelona, runners-up last season, will contest their fourth final against Lyon since 2019. The French side won the first two meetings, before Barcelona triumphed in last year’s Bilbao final.
