PARIS, October 19 (European press) –
Barcelona Feminino swept Benfica 9-0 at Johan Cruyff on Wednesday in the opening Champions League group stage, as the Blaugrana presented their bid for the continental title and achieved the biggest victory in the club’s history.
The Catalan team is undefeated in the new first division of football and with its captain Alexia Putillas, the new Ballon d’Or for the second year in a row, has not yet lost a single point and is taking the first step towards regaining the crown it lost last season. The Catalans top Group D, although Bayern, who beat Rosengard 2-1, also have three points.
Jonatan Giráldez’s side started the match with a lot of power and quickly delivered massive punches. And they advanced from the first minute with a goal from Patri, and then expanded the difference with a goal from Aitana and a wonderful shot from Oshoala, who surprised Ruti Costa with a shot from outside the surface to make the score 3-0.
In the second half, Barcelona left no chance for Benfica, who overtook the Portuguese, who could do little or nothing to stop Hurricane Coli. Marionna made the score 4-0 from the start and also provided Kronogorsevich’s assist for the fifth goal.
A combination of Pena, Oshoala and Patri made Jess open the scoring with a score of 6-0, which equaled her teammate Pena in Azulgrana’s seventh goal. Oshoala and Geyse, with their braces, put the finishing touches to a match that the hosts dominated from start to finish.
The Catalans, who were 90 minutes away from retaining their European title last May after losing 1-3 in the final to Olympique Lyonnais, are now facing another attack on the continental title in which they clearly showed their preferred position.
