Barça down Bayern, make sixth straight women's Champions League final

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Barça down Bayern, make sixth straight women's Champions League final

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

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.

Barcelona are heading back to the women's Champions League final for the sixth year running—and they did it in style. A 4-2 win over Bayern Munich on Sunday sealed a 5-3 aggregate victory, with two-time world player of the year Alexia Putellas stealing the show with a brilliant brace.

The Spanish giants, who had already wrapped up a seventh straight domestic league title, came flying out of the gates. Salma Paralluelo gave them an early lead in the 13th minute after sustained pressure at the Camp Nou. But Bayern, the reigning Bundesliga champions, weren't about to roll over. Linda Dallmann struck back quickly with the Germans' first real attack, leveling the score and silencing the home crowd momentarily.

That's when Putellas took over. The midfield maestro restored Barcelona's lead in the 22nd minute, slotting home through a crowded box. Early in the second half, Ewa Pajor added a superb header that seemed to put the tie to bed—but Putellas wasn't done yet. She flicked in a clever fourth goal, and there was even time for Aitana Bonmatí to make her long-awaited return after five months out with a broken leg.

Bayern showed fight until the very end. Pernille Harder drilled one back, and the Germans twice hit the woodwork late on, even having a goal disallowed for a foul in the buildup. They were also without Franziska Kett, suspended after a red card for hair-pulling in the first leg, and coach José Barcala, who was banned for his protests following that dismissal.

Barcelona now face Lyon in the final on May 23 in Oslo. The French side edged past holders Arsenal 3-1 on Saturday to advance 4-3 on aggregate. It's a rematch of recent finals—Lyon have beaten Barcelona in two of their three previous meetings, including last season's heartbreaking loss for the Catalans. This time, Barcelona will be gunning for a fourth title in six seasons, eager to turn the tables and bring the trophy home.

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