Patri and Pajor bring Barça closer to the final after crushing Madrid

BarcelonaEleven goals in eight matches against Real Madrid. These are the numbers of Ewa Pajor, who sealed the Copa de la Reina quarterfinals with a brace at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium (0-4). The Blaugrana showed no mercy and will be in the semifinals after a hard-fought match that ended with another resounding victory for Pere Romeu's team. Alexia Putellas—after heading in a corner chipped by Graham Hansen—and Salma Paralluelo—with a great pass from Patri Guijarro—completed the scoring. Barça continues its dominance and has now won 23 of the 24 Clásicos played.

Real Madrid once again pressed high up the pitch, just as they did in the Spanish Super Cup final. Real Madrid, aware of the importance of taking the lead, nearly scored the first goal after a pass from Claudia Pina towards the goalkeeper – an action that Pere Romeu insisted they shouldn't attempt unless absolutely necessary – which fell short due to the poor condition of the pitch at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium. Athenea recovered the ball and dribbled past Cata Coll, but couldn't find an opening to shoot. It was one of the only chances for Pau Quesada's team in the first half.

Barça grew into the game as the minutes ticked by, but Pere Romeu was faced with another headache. Fifteen minutes into the match, Laia Aleixandri was stretchered off with her hands covering her face after suffering a right knee injury. Without Mapi León –injured– and Marta Torrejón –who didn't travel to Madrid for personal reasons–, the Catalan coach opted for Aïcha Camara at center back. And in a tight match where neither team could impose their style of play, set pieces once again proved crucial. While Esmee Brugts opened the scoring in the Spanish Super Cup final from a corner, in the Cup it was Alexia Putellas who headed home a Graham Hansen cross unchallenged. The arrival of Marc Soler –in charge of set pieces– to the coaching staff has led to an improvement in these situations. In fact, Pere Romeu himself emphasized the importance of "individualizing tasks."

Pichichi's brace

With the score at 0-1, the match heated up after a scuffle between Claudia Pina and Misa Rodríguez. The player from Montcada i Reixac took the ball from the goalkeeper to take a free kick and ended up being struck by the Real Madrid player. Minutes later, Pina pushed Eva Navarro in midfield, and Real Madrid requested a VAR review for a possible red card, which the referee did not deem necessary. Vicky—after a great individual effort that ended with a shot against the post—and Pina—whose shot was saved by a great hand from Misa—had chances to make it 0-2, while Athenea—who had a goal disallowed for offside after beating a very advanced Cata Coll—and Weir—whose shot was saved by the Balearic goalkeeper—also had opportunities.

All this until Ewa Pajor arrived. The Polish striker—who has eleven goals in eight matches against Real Madrid—capitalized on a pass from Patri Guijarro—and Misa's lack of decisiveness—to score the second goal. From then on, Barça found a way to punish them. Guijarro threaded another pass—this time to Salma Paralluelo—to make it 3-0, and Pajor completed the scoring after a pass from Paralluelo. Barça joins Atlético de Madrid, Tenerife, and Badalona—who made history after eliminating Real Sociedad with a goal from Itzi Pinillos in the 114th minute—and will be in Friday's draw for the semifinals (1 p.m.). The first leg will be on March 10, 11, or 12, while the second leg will be on March 17, 18, or 19.