Triumphant Return of Ewa Pajor
Ewa Pajor made a triumphant return to the starting lineup for FC Barcelona, scoring two goals in her first match in over a month, leading her team to a decisive 4-0 victory against Real Madrid at the Olympic Stadium. This win not only secured crucial points in Liga F, extending Barcelona’s lead to a significant seven points, but also avenged the surprising defeat they suffered against Madrid last season. The clash attracted a lively crowd of 36,276 fans, making the atmosphere electric throughout the match.
Match Highlights
While Pajor’s performance stole the spotlight, with her brace and overall contributions marking her importance to the squad, the match was far from one-sided. Barcelona surged ahead with an aggressive start, with Pajor netting two first-half goals. However, it was Caroline Weir’s missed penalty in the second half, while the score stood at 2-0, that became a crucial moment. This incident, along with multiple goal-scoring opportunities for both teams, intensified the rivalry on the pitch.
The Poland striker displayed her sharp instincts early on, having two other goals disqualified for offside and an alleged handball before Alexia Putellas’ shot rattled the post just moments into the match. Madrid, fighting back, had a goal by Weir disallowed as well and saw Naomie Feller striking the woodwork. The game was characterized by numerous missed chances by both sides, a stark contrast to their previous encounter when Barcelona was unable to score at Real Sociedad just two weeks prior.
Pajor’s Impact and Team Dynamics
Pajor, who had been sidelined with a knee injury since early October, showed why her presence was sorely missed in previous matches. Despite initial fears of a long-term recovery, her swift return and influential role against Madrid were pivotal.
This is a very special game, not just in Spain but worldwide, and I really relished the opportunity to play against Real Madrid and secure the win.
– Ewa Pajor
Barcelona’s desire for revenge was palpably felt, especially after the startling 3-1 defeat to Madrid at the same venue last March. Players like Esmee Brugts had emphasized the need to avenge that loss, while Irene Paredes spoke about seizing the chance to demonstrate their strength against a rival that had been increasingly challenging.
Controversies and Final Moments
As the match unfolded, tension mounted, particularly surrounding the late penalty awarded to Madrid after a contentious decision following a challenge from Barcelona’s goalkeeper Cata Coll on Athenea del Castillo. After a lengthy VAR review, the penalty was confirmed, resulting in a palpable sense of indignation among Barcelona supporters. However, Weir’s opportunity to convert from the spot was thwarted by Coll, who made a crucial save, igniting celebrations among the Barcelona fans that rivaled any of the goals scored.
With the match drawing to a close, Schertenleib and Aitana Bonmatí added two late goals during stoppage time, wrapping up the comprehensive win for Barcelona. Despite the heavy loss, Madrid’s goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez reflected on the match, noting,
In the end, we had chances that we didn’t capitalize on, which highlighted the differences between the teams today. The small details make all the difference in football.
The outcome not only asserts Barcelona’s dominance once again in Spanish women’s football but also sets the stage for a more competitive future between these two storied rivals.
