Barça down Bayern, make sixth straight women's Champions League final
A brace from Alexia Putellas helped send Barcelona into a sixth straight women's Champions League final following a 4-2 win over Bayern Munich on Sunday and a 5-3 aggregate success. The Spanish hosts, who already sealed a seventh successive domestic title, went ahead on 13 minutes through Salma Paralluelo after heavy early pressure. But the recent Bundesliga champions levelled quickly thanks to Linda Dallmann in their first meaningful attack at the Camp Nou.
Twice world player of the year Putellas put the Catalans back in front on 22 minutes amid a sea of bodies and Ewa Pajor's superb header appeared to settle matters early in the second half. There was still time for a clever flick from Putellas for the fourth and for substitute Aitana Bonmatí to make her return from five months out with a broken leg. Pernille Harder then drilled in a Bayern goal before the Germans hit the woodwork twice late on and had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
Bayern were without Franziska Kett after her red card for hair-pulling in last Saturday's 1-1 first-leg draw in Munich. Coach José Barcala was also suspended on Sunday for his protests following her dismissal. Lyon saw off holders Arsenal in Saturday's semi-final second leg with a 3-1 win for a 4-3 aggregate victory.
The final is on May 23 in Oslo when Barcelona will be looking to ease the pain of losing last season's final despite dominating. They are gunning for a fourth title in six seasons. Lyon, though, have beaten Barcelona in two of their three final meetings.