Roma 0-1 Barcelona: Salma Paralluelo's fine goal gives Catalans advantage in Women’s Champions League quarter-final

Salma Paralluelo's fine individual goal was the difference as Barcelona secured a 1-0 win over Roma in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League quarter-final. Almost 40,000 supporters were in place at Stadio Olimpico to see Paralluelo score the game's only goal 11 minutes before half-time with a lovely low curling shot from the edge of the box.

It was the teenager’s first goal in the competition. Ad Barcelona have won all of their 22 Liga F games this season, so it was no surprise that the Catalan giants dominated from the outset.

La LigaBarca take huge step towards title as Kessie nets late winner in Clasico19/03/2023 AT 19:17 Maria Leon fired a shot just wide and Caroline Graham Hansen forced a decent save from goalkeeper Camelia Ceasar before Paralluelo opened the scoring, albeit in controversial circumstances. Roma felt there was a foul in the build-up and the goal was greeted by loud jeers from the home fans.

Ceasar had to be alert to deny Graham Hansen on the stroke of half-time, and the Barcelona pressure continued after the restart, with the Roma goalkeeper pulling off a great save to keep out Asisat Oshoala’s point-blank effort. Valentina Giacinti almost grabbed a surprise equaliser for the hosts, and at the other end, Ceaser was keeping Roma in the contest, saving from Patricia Guijarro’s effort.