Madrid, Spain – FC Barcelona delivered a commanding performance Wednesday evening, defeating Real Madrid 6-2 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash. Dutch international Esmee Brugts played a pivotal role, contributing to the opening goal and scoring one herself as Barcelona took a significant step towards the semifinals. The match, played at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, showcased Barcelona’s attacking prowess and leaves Real Madrid with a mountain to climb in the return leg.
Barcelona entered the match as clear favorites, and they quickly asserted their dominance. According to reports, What we have is the 25th meeting between the two sides, with Real Madrid securing only one victory. That historical advantage translated into a confident display on the pitch.
Brugts Makes Her Mark
The visitors didn’t waste time getting on the scoresheet. Just six minutes into the match, Brugts’ involvement set up Ewa Pajor for the opening goal. Brugts continued to be a threat, and in the 22nd minute, she doubled Barcelona’s lead with a well-placed header. While the initial effort appeared saveable, Real Madrid goalkeeper Misa was unable to keep the ball out of the net.
Despite a goal from Linda Caicedo for Real Madrid, reducing the deficit to 2-1, Barcelona continued to press forward. Irene Paredes extended Barcelona’s lead before halftime with another header, solidifying their control of the match.
Pajor Shines, Barcelona Extends Lead
Barcelona continued their onslaught after the break. Pajor scored her sixth Champions League goal of the season twelve minutes into the second half, effectively ending the contest. Pajor has been in excellent form this year, having also netted 16 goals in 18 league matches.
Vicky López added a fifth for Barcelona, celebrating in her hometown, while Alexia Putellas completed the rout with a late penalty, bringing the final score to 6-2. Lotte Keukelaar came on as a substitute for Real Madrid in the 63rd minute but was unable to influence the outcome.
Other Champions League Quarterfinal Results
Elsewhere in the Champions League, Manchester United suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to Bayern Munich. Pernille Harder scored twice for the German side. On Tuesday, Wolfsburg defeated Olympique Lyonnais 1-0, with Lineth Beerensteyn scoring the decisive goal, and Arsenal secured a 3-1 victory over Chelsea at home.
The Champions League continues to deliver exciting matchups, and Barcelona’s dominant performance against Real Madrid sets the stage for a compelling return leg. The second leg will be played in Barcelona, with the Catalan side holding a commanding advantage.
Esmee Brugts, who currently plays as a midfielder or left-back for Barcelona, joined the club in August 2023, signing a four-year contract. Prior to Barcelona, she played for PSV from 2020 to 2023, where she made 54 appearances and scored 15 goals. Brugts has also represented the Netherlands national team, earning 28 caps and scoring 8 goals as of October 31, 2023. Her career began with SV Heinenoord in 2008, followed by a stint at FC Binnenmaas from 2016 to 2020.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League is now exclusively available on Disney+ in Europe, with all 75 matches, from the league stage to the final in Oslo in May 2026, being broadcast live on the platform.
What’s Next: Barcelona will face Real Madrid again next week, both in the return leg of the Champions League quarterfinal and in a La Liga match. The return leg in Barcelona will determine whether Barcelona can advance to the semifinals, while the league match will be crucial in the race for the Spanish title.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, with over 15 years of experience covering major sporting events worldwide.
