The new queen who guides Barça towards the quarterfinals

BarcelonaInjuries at Barça have paved the way for a new generation of young footballers who have proven more than ready to compete at the elite level. Clara Serrajordi once again led the Blaugrana midfield, and with a goal and two assists, demonstrating her excellent vision, she guided the team to victory at Alavés (1-6), the only Second Division team remaining in the competition after Europa League's elimination against Athletic Bilbao. The Catalan side got the job done in their last match of 2025 – which they close with a 90% win rate – and continue their journey in the Copa de la Reina.

If Pere Romeu had fielded the same starting eleven a year ago, many fans would have asked beforehand where Aïcha Camara was playing. And Clara Serrajordi? And Carla Julià? But the reality is that these three players, despite debuting with the first team this season – in fact, Julià is still registered with the reserve team – are starting to become regular starters. The Catalan coach also wanted to show his appreciation for Alba Caño, who will be joining Boston Legacy in the United States next January. Barça has a consistent playing style that it maintains from the under-8s to the first team, and that means it doesn't matter which players are on the pitch. Everyone knows exactly what they have to do at any given moment.

After a dangerous cross from Carla Julià and a shot from Kika Nazareth that Sofía Fuente saved, Clara Serrajordi – growing in confidence with each passing moment – ​​threaded a perfect pass to the Portuguese player, who made no mistake in putting Barça ahead. And just in case anyone thought it was just luck, Serrajordi threaded another pass, this time to Schertenleib, to make it 2-0. Alavés, who have shown why they are level on points with Barça B at the top of the Second Division, used their speed to reduce the deficit. Gemma Font made a good save to deny Ainhoa ​​Guallar, but Carmen Sobrón pounced on the rebound to make it 2-1. Graham Hansen, very active since coming on in the second half, sealed the tie after a cross from Carla Julià. Clara Serrajordi put the finishing touch on a match to remember with the fifth goal, while the fourth and sixth were own goals.

A competition tinged with blue and red

That the Blaugrana have dominated the national scene for the last six years is no surprise, but that doesn't diminish the merit of what Barça have been doing lately. With this victory, the Catalan side have now won 23 consecutive Copa de la Reina titles. There is, however, one exception. In the 2022-23 season, Barça were eliminated administratively for fielding an ineligible player, but on the pitch they won convincingly 9-0 against Osasuna, so the victory was there. This dominance has translated into titles, lifting five of the last six editions. In fact, the last time Barça lost a Copa de la Reina match on the field was on February 17, 2019, when Atlético de Madrid defeated them 2-0 with a brace from Ludmila in the semifinals. The love affair with the Cup continues; hard work and on to the quarterfinals.