Graham and Salma Lead the Way to Semifinals

Many favored – and still favor – FC Barcelona in these quarterfinals against Norwegian side Brann, which has just begun its league season and is making its debut in the Champions League knockout stages. But in football, as in life, anything can happen. The Blaugrana could have sealed the tie in the first leg, with an infinite number of chances in the first half that they couldn’t convert, and ended up struggling to emerge victorious in Bergen, with goals from Graham and Salma.

Coach Jonatan Giráldez warned of the dangers posed by Brann and fielded his strongest eleven in Bergen, the same lineup he had used in the big games of recent months. With Alexia and Rolfö on the bench, nearly four thousand fans in red and some in blue were in the stands of the Asane Arena – the second choice because the city’s main stadium was under construction. The artificial turf, four degrees temperature that felt colder, and a downpour that stopped just in time for kickoff set the stage.

Plenty of Chances and a Goal Brann held its ground, maintaining its strategy despite conceding a goal within the first ten minutes. It was Caroline Graham Hansen who found the net, playing in her hometown. A set-piece play, an exquisite combination with Patri Guijarro, and a right-footed shot to beat Mikalsen to tie with Salma as the team’s top scorer, each with twenty-five goals.

With the overwhelming superiority in both play and chances for Barcelona, it seemed like a night of goals was on the cards. The match couldn’t have started better, with Barcelona combining with precision, playing with compact lines, and utilizing Graham and Salma on the wings. Paredes and Engen pushed up higher on the midfield line.

Kvamme Sparked Brann’s Hopes Barcelona’s chances were numerous, but Mikalsen made three remarkable saves. The most notable was a header from Mariona, who played both as a forward and as a fourth midfielder. But precision was lacking, and when you miss chances, things happen. Especially in the Champions League.

In a swift transition, Brann capitalized and leveled the score. A mistake by Bronze unsettled the defense, leaving Kvamme too open on the left. The Norwegian captain managed to slide the ball past Cata Coll and the left post, celebrating in disbelief. It was a halftime result that didn’t reflect the game. But that’s football…

Salma to the Rescue Giráldez, observing attentively from the sidelines, made notes for his players at halftime. However, Brann came out stronger and more hopeful, causing more trouble for Barcelona at the start of the second half. The coach called for Alexia and Rolfö to make changes. And just before the substitutions, Salma stepped up to score the second goal. A left-footed shot from inside the box, after a turn and pass from Aitana. Like a true ‘killer’.

With a tight scoreline, nothing is decided, even though Barcelona deserved more in the first half. The Johan Cruyff Stadium will be the decider. There will be excitement until the end, as in – almost – all knockout ties. On Sunday, the Clásico. And next Thursday, the second leg of the quarterfinals.