Barça stay top of their Champions League group for another week after seeing off Benfica 3–1 and, after the draw away to Chelsea last time out, are back to winning ways in Europe. With goals from Pajor, Aleixandri and an own goal from Ucheibe, they now have 13 points from a possible 15 and remain unbeaten, with just one game left in the first phase.

Injury crisis

The wave of injuries affecting the squad severely limits Pere Romeu’s options, leaving him with only 12 outfield first-team players available. Even so, with a starting XI full of quality, Barça came out firing, intent on taking control as early as possible.

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Within just five minutes, Alexia and Pina both had clear chances to open the scoring but without success. Cata Coll was virtually a spectator as Barça kept up constant pressure, patiently waiting for the breakthrough. With every chance that went begging, the goal felt closer.

Pajor breaks the deadlock

Pina had two more in quick succession (one off the crossbar) before a new flurry of shots from Alexia, Graham and Pajor began to hone in on the Portuguese goal. And it was the Polish striker who finally cracked it open, finishing off a good recovery from Alexia to make it 1–0 around the half-hour mark. Her 14th goal of the season, and her fourth in the Champions League.

Surprise equaliser

Despite Barça’s total domination in the first half, Benfica nearly equalised shortly after, with a chance into an open goal but from a very tight angle. The scare pushed Barça to look for a second before half-time, but the crossbar denied them twice more. And utterly against the run of play, Benfica equalised through Canadian defender Davidson.

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Barça react

The goal stunned Barça, and they almost conceded a second moments later. Luckily, it was only a brief lapse. A dangerous cross from Alexia was deflected into her own net by Nigeria’s Ucheibe on 54 minutes, restoring calm at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. And just minutes later, Laia Aleixandri pounced on a rebound to add the third.

With a two-goal cushion, Barça controlled the tempo and could have killed the game completely from the penalty spot after a clear handball. Alexia took responsibility, but Pauels saved, and the scoreline stayed unchanged despite more chances for both sides, mainly Barça.

Three goals and three points for a Barça side that remains unbeaten in Europe and will go into the final game of the first phase as group leaders.

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    MATCH STATS

    Barça: 3
    Benfica: 1

    Barça: Cata Coll; Aïcha (Marta 63'), Aleixandri (Ainoa Gómez 85'), María León, Brugts (Carla Julià 74'); Serrajordi (Schertenleib 63'), Alexia, Vicky; Graham, Pajor (Fenger 85') i Pina.

    Benfica: Pauels; Amado, Costa, Ucheibe, Lund; Gasper (Martins 68'), Cameirao (Boeckmann 79'), Almeida (Pauleta 59'); Sousa (Raysla 68'), Martín-Prieto (Engesvik 79') i Davidson. 

    Goals: 1-0, Pajor (min. 29); 1-1, Davidson (min. 46); 2-1, Ucheibe, OG (min. 54); 3-1, Laia Aleixandri (min. 58)

    Referee: Jana Adámková. Yellow card for Boeckmann (Benfica).

    Força Barça