Two mighty suites were broken in an unexpectedly thrilling semi-final return.
But with 5-1 in the bag, nothing could stop Fridolina Rolfös Barcelona from a new Champions League final.
0-2 away against Wolfsburg was enough for the reigning champions to book the ticket to the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
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Regardless of opposition in the final on May 21, Barcelona will be the favorite to take their second straight Champions League title.
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The star-studded team has made the game of football look playfully easy this season, and until Saturday, “Barça” had won all the matches played. In the Spanish league, the Catalans not only have 27 straight victories, the total goal difference of 146-8 is also striking.
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But in the semi-final return against Wolfsburg – without the injured Rebecka Blomqvist – big, strong Barcelona were rocking for the sake of the unusual. It was extra unexpected because they had a safe 5-1 with them from last week’s home match, and after a goalless first half at Volkswagen Arena, the final place looked more or less clear.
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45 straight wins
But German football teams are not directly known for lying flat, and when Tabea Wassmuth banked 1-0 in the 47th minute from just outside the penalty area, it gave energy to both players and the 22,057 fans in the stands (new audience record for Wolfsburg ladies). When Jill Roord knocked in 2-0 with an even heavier distance shot in the 60th minute, it was then a full mill under the studs of the home team who suddenly were only two goals from forcing a sensational extra time.
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Barcelona came to the match with 45 straight victories in competition, but for the first time in a long time, the Catalans now looked shaken. The team that can usually shake up goal chances whenever desired also looked unusually unleashed, and stars such as Alexia Putellas, Caroline Graham Hansen, Asisat Oshoala and Fridolina Rolfö (replaced after 65 minutes) had a hard time creating some really sharp situations.
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French resistance awaits
After a nervous period, Wolfsburg’s forcing slowed down, but in the final minutes the pressure on Barcelona’s goal increased again. There were no chances for further Wolfsburg goals, but the favorite held back.
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It ended with an unusual loss, and a rare goalless match, for Barcelona. But 0-2 was still enough for the team to have the chance to defend their Champions League title.
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The evening will show which French team Barcelona will face in the final in Turin on 21 May. Before tonight’s return to the Parc des Princes in Paris, most of the champions Lyon, with Emma Holmgren in the team, have 3-2 to go on from the home meeting with Amanda Ilestedt’s Paris Saint-Germain.
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