Barcelona’s dismantling of OL Lyonnes shows the titans’ rebuild still might has a few years to go

That is before Salma Paralluelo scythed through the French side’s defence not once but twice between the 90th and 93rd minute to double Barcelona’s advantage, despite the stadium announcer even kindly opting to reduce the t

Fifteen minutes to go and FC Barcelona forward Claudia Pina is nutmegging OL Lyonnes’ defence. It’s probably safe to say it’s over. In hindsight, it would have been a kinder time to call it, when it was only Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor’s brace that separated Lyon from defeat.

That is before Salma Paralluelo scythed through the French side’s defence not once but twice between the 90th and 93rd minute to double Barcelona’s advantage, despite the stadium announcer even kindly opting to reduce the total number of injury time minutes from seven to five. Because even eight-time European champions need help retaining some dignity in these moments. But a four-goal defeat was more appropriate — the worst scoreline Lyon have suffered since 2022 in a 5-1 defeat to Arsenal.

It is also the number of European trophies Barcelona have now claimed in their history since lifting their first in 2021. Which is the bigger point here. Titans fall and new empires rise.