Barcelona 3-0 Real Madrid (Mar 24, 2024) Game Analysis

A Caroline Graham Hansen-inspired Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 on the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Sunday to maneuver 12 factors clear on the high of Liga F.

The Norway worldwide helped create the opening aim for Fridolina Rolfö, laid on the second for Aitana Bonmatí and scored the third herself as Barça made it 14 consecutive Clásico victories since Madrid absorbed CD Tacon in 2020.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)

Graham Hansen, 29, now has a exceptional 51 aim contributions throughout 29 appearances in all competitions this season, together with 26 targets, 17 of which have now come within the league.

She is main Barça’s cost for a quadruple, with Jonatan Giráldez’s aspect already into the Copa de la Reina closing and 2-1 up on the midway stage of their Champions League quarterfinal towards Brann.

“Until we win trophies — the Champions League, the league and the cup — [my] statistics don’t matter,” Graham Hansen advised DAZN after the sport.

“If we don’t win anything, they don’t count for anything. We have to keep going as a team and keep winning matches.

“Madrid had a free midweek earlier than this sport and had a 5 minute spell the place they’d extra of the ball.

“We controlled the rest of the game, though, and could have scored more goals in the first half. We had chances that we should have scored.”

The first trophy of a attainable 4 arrived in January after they gained the Spanish Supercopa, beating Madrid 4-0 within the semifinal.

Alberto Toril’s Madrid aspect have threatened to shut the hole on Barça lately, ending simply 10 factors behind them final season and dropping to them within the final eight of the Champions League two years in the past, however they’ve struggled to kick on this season.

Madrid have already been eradicated from the Copa and the Champions League and, after falling even additional behind Barça this weekend, will now concentrate on ending within the high three and securing European soccer once more subsequent season.

They stay six factors away from third-placed Levante and 7 forward of Madrid CFF, who’re fourth.

Sunday’s go to from Barça was one other probability to seal a first-ever win towards the Catalan aspect, however as has usually been the case on this fixture, they have been second greatest from the beginning.

The guests led inside 10 minutes when Graham Hansen fed Ona Batlle to sq. for fellow full-back Rolfö, who solely not too long ago returned from a long-term knee damage.

Barça continued to dominate however Bonmatí was twice denied by Misa Rodríguez, whereas Salma Paralluelo hit the crossbar as they failed so as to add to their tally earlier than the break.

Madrid’s greatest probability got here by way of Barça centre-back Irene Paredes, whose tried clearance hit her personal bar.

Graham Hansen took the sport by the scruff of the neck within the early phases of the second half to kill the sport off.

She latched on to a superb lengthy cross from England worldwide Keira Walsh, carried out wizardry on the touchline to maintain the ball in play, beat her opponent and arrange Ballon d’Or winner Bonmatí in fifty fifth minute.

Twelve minutes later, Graham Hansen obtained the aim she deserved, once more displaying sensible footwork earlier than firing previous Rodríguez to finish the house aspect’s hopes of a comeback.

Barça eased themselves over the road from there, giving minutes to former Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas as she continues her return from an damage and handing breathers to Graham Hansen and Bonmatí.

With 61 factors from a attainable 63, Barça are coasting in the direction of in a fifth straight Liga F title in what shall be Giráldez’s closing marketing campaign as coach earlier than he joins NWSL aspect Washington Spirit within the closing.

Before then, Giráldez has his eye on profitable again the Copa de la Reina after being kicked out final season for fielding an ineligible aspect, however the huge goal shall be profitable back-to-back Champions Leagues.

Barça host Brann within the second leg of their quarterfinal tie on Thursday, with a attainable semifinal to return towards both Chelsea or Ajax in April.