BARCELONA, Spain – Women’s Champions League holders Barcelona mauled Wolfsburg 6-1 to reach the semi-finals 10-2 on aggregate.
Pere Romeu’s side set a record by reaching a seventh consecutive final four at the tournament.
Chelsea, meanwhile, staged a big first-half comeback to march into the semi-finals of the Women´s Champions League with a 3-0 victory over Manchester City.
Sandy Baltimore scored early in the all-England quarter-final at Stamford Bridge before Nathalie Bjorn and Mayra Ramirez netted in a five-minute span to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg and set up a last-four matchup against defending champion Barcelona.
Barcelona, who has won three of the last four editions of the tournament, crushed the German side at the Johan Cruyff stadium.
Alessia Russo, also, scored twice as Arsenal produced a thrilling comeback to beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the women’s Champions League, overturning a two-goal first-leg deficit to reach the semi-finals with a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Romeu’s team bounced back strongly from a first ever Clasico defeat by Real Madrid in Liga F on Sunday to dismantle their 2023 final opponents.
Salma Paralluelo sent the hosts ahead after two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati found her on the left in an ocean of space.
The Spanish winger picked her spot and zipped a low accurate strike in at the far post, AFP reported.
Barcelona was constantly threatening from that side and Esmee Brugts, playing out of position at left-back, hit the crossbar with a deflected effort.
Dutch midfielder Brugts cut the ball back for Paralluelo to finish with aplomb for Barca’s second, before smashing home the third herself from outside the box.
Substitute Claudia Pina continued the rout after the hour mark as she beat Anneke Borbe too easily at her near post.
Elsewhere, Alessia Russo’s stunning brace helped Arsenal overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Real Madrid and reach the Women’s Champions League semi-finals.
Russo’s double and a Mariona Caldentey strike all came in a 14-minute spell after half-time at the Emirates as the Gunners turned their quarter-final tie on its head.
Chloe Kelly provided two brilliant assists as Renee Slegers’ side won 3-0 to clinch a 3-2 aggregate victory and set up a semi-final against Lyon.
Slegers’ unchanged XI, fresh from the 4-0 Women’s Super League victory over Liverpool, dominated in the opening stages.
Kelly’s corner met the head of the unmarked Steph Catley, who failed to guide her effort at the back post on target as Madrid were let off the hook.
Arsenal had to wait until the second half to find a way through the Spanish side’s defence for the first time in the tie.
The moment came in the 46th minute when a stunning run infield by Caitlin Foord dragged multiple visiting players out of position, before her lay off to Kelly saw the Manchester City loanee whip a perfect cross to the well-positioned Russo to tap home.
Arsenal had their tails up and it did not take long for their press to force a turnover and playmaker Kelly to set-up another as they drew level in the tie.
The Lionesses winger surged down the right in the 49th minute and this time floated a cross into the path of Caldentey, who performed a late run into the box and powered her header underneath Real goalkeeper Misa.
It only seemed a matter of time until Arsenal would score again and it was no surprise that it was through a set-piece.
