Fridolina Rolfö’s goal sent Wolfsburg into their 5th UEFA Women’s Champions League final after an encounter where 2019 runners-up Barcelona had more than their share of chances.
The first half started out fairly evenly between the two sides albeit with Barcelona enjoying more possession while Wolfsburg looked to counter with the speed of Pernille Harder and Ewa Pajor. However, the Catalans did create the two clearest-cut chances of the half with Asisat Oshoala and Caroline Graham Hansen both coming close to opening the scoring.
One of the closest chances for the blaugranas was in the 37th minute, when Oshoala nearly put Barcelona ahead. She run on to an excellent through ball in behind from Hansen. With the goalkeeper racing out from her line, along with Wolfsburg defender Kathrin Hendrich, the Nigerian international reached the ball first but hooked her effort wide. There was a jump scare as all three players were left lying on the ground injured, but were soon fit to resume.
Although Wolfsburg’s chances were fewer and far between, in the second half, the Germans were superior to the Spaniards, and, clearly, seize their opportunity to reach the final.
Fridolina Rolfö scored the winning goal in the 58th minute, after Barça failed to deal with Svenja Huth’s low cross and Ewa Pajor’s subsequent attempted bicycle kick and Rolfö stabbed home from close range. Barcelona continued to pile on the pressure, seeking for an equaliser, but couldn’t do anything against the German’s defence.
Caroline Graham Hansen, FC Barcelona’s midfielder and one of the best players of the match, said:
“The goals were [clearly] the difference today.
We played a good game and we had enough big goal chances to score at least three goals. But we scored zero and they had one goal out of nothing so, for me, it feels very hard .. this defeat. But we have to congratulate them and wish them all the best for the final.”
The game’s goalscorer also had something to say, excited after giving the ticket to the final to her team:
“Of course it’s amazing!
We’re really happy with the result. We’ve made it to the final. It was tough game today but I’m proud and happy we’ve made it to the final. We didn’t play our best game today but we still won the game. We were a little bit lucky but I’m still so proud we did it.”
In the end, Barcelona impressed in the opening exchanges and Wolfsburg keeper, Friederike Abt, had to be alert most times, but that one goal was the only thing the two-time UEFA winners needed to go for the title on Sunday.
Now, the question is: Lyon or PSG? Who will they play in the final?
WOMEN IN FOOTBALL: THE GLASS CEILING 