FC Barcelona secure a place in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals

They have come of age. All of the hours that they have put in have really paid off. Nothing scares them now; not Twente, not the Champions League, and not even 7,000 Dutch supporters. The goals are flowing and FC Barcelona knocked out Twente, just as they did last year. Xavi Llorens' side have secured a place in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals for the second year running by following up their one-goal victory in the first leg with a 4-0 rout in the Netherlands.

It may not have been pretty and it was certainly no master class, but it sure was effective. FC Barcelona took on Twente and the home side made the stronger start. Barcelona headed into the game with the advantage after winning the first leg through a spectacular goal by Jenni Hermoso, and the Dutch outfit needed to score. Tommy Stroot's ladies dominated possession early on, managing to encroach dangerously on Sandra Paños's goal. Barcelona, meanwhile, barely had a touch, and when they did they looked clumsy and nervous. Only Olga Garcia managed to threaten with a powerful shot from distance which Barbara Lorsheyd pushed out for a corner. However, as occurred in the first leg, Barça's goal turned the game on its head.

The Catalan side won a corner kick 17 minutes in, Ruth Garcia heading the ball back across goal from the far post for Marta Torrejon to head home from inside the six-yard box. The goal knocked the wind out of Twente and galvanised the visitors. The Dutch side now needed three goals with no reply. Twente continued to dominate possession, but barely managed to threaten. Meanwhile, Barcelona bided their time and awaited their opportunities on the counter. The second goal came from their third attempt. Talk about making the most of your chances. Andressa Alves picked up the ball inside the area and fired it inside the far post to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

Barcelona produced arguably their best football in the opening minutes of the second half, managing to dictate the play, while Twente rather unconvincingly went in search of a goal to get themselves back in contention. With less than half an hour to go, Xavi Llorens substituted Alexia Putellas and Olga Garcia. A place in the quarter-finals was all but theirs. 

On came Barbara Latorre and Koko, who produced one of the best moves of the game, beating two defenders before pulling the ball back for Jenni, but her shot was too close to the keeper. With Twente throwing players forward, Las Blaugranas were content to catch them on the counter-attack. Barça capitalised on the spaces using the pace of Barbara and Koko, who grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck and propelled their team on to victory. Koko picked up a ball played in behind the defenders, darted forward and then crossed for Latorre to head home and make it 3-0. The fourth was scored by Koko herself shortly before the final whistle with a fine piece of individual play followed by a low shot.

Barcelona may not have produced a silky display, but they are through to the quarter-finals. They gave Twente no chance, putting five past them and they are now just two games away from making history.