They don’t miss a beat in the Champions League either. Barça continue to make it three points from every game, winning 4-0 away to Roma thanks to an early goal from Brugts in the second minute, and three more after the break from Kika, Alexia and Graham. Six points from six and a 100 per cent record across all competitions this season.

First attack, first goal

With a few enforced changes, such as Kika replacing the injured Pajor, and with Graham, Pina and Paredes all starting on the bench, Esmee Brugts wasted no time in making her mark. Nominally the left-back, but with complete freedom to roam, she charged into the box and was quickest to react to a loose ball, opening the scoring after just two minutes. It was her third goal in three games, and once again, she proved impossible for opponents to read.

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It was a dream start, and Barça used their early momentum to keep threatening. Baldi in the Roma goal denied Patri, who was everywhere, and then produced another fine save to keep out Salma Paralluelo’s close-range effort. Roma somehow stayed alive and, out of nowhere, after Aleixandri lost possession, Haavi went through one-on-one with Cata Coll, who stuck out a decisive foot to preserve the advantage going into the break.

Kika seizes her chance

That scare spurred the blaugranas on after the restart. They upped the tempo to ensure they returned to Barcelona with all three points. Although the Italians closed down spaces, Kika won a penalty, but Alexia’s attempted Panenka flew too high. Moments later, however, it was the Portuguese forward herself who struck from the edge of the box with a powerful drive to make it 2-0 in the 58th minute. With a two-goal cushion, Pere Romeu began rotating his squad, and the players focused on minimising risks while continuing to control the game.

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Alexia and Graham complete the rout

The chances kept coming. María León whipped in a dangerous cross, while Graham Hansen, introduced from the bench, drove repeatedly down the right flank. The Norwegian produced a clever chip that led to a second penalty for handball by Heatley, and this time Alexia made no mistake from the spot. With the third goal, the result was beyond doubt, though there was still time for one more, Graham Hansen finishing coolly from a Pina assist in the final minute of regulation time.

Three league games next

This victory makes it two wins from two to start the European campaign under the new league-stage format. The Champions League will return to Barcelona in Matchday 3 with the visit of Belgian side Leuven. Before that, though, Barça will play three Liga fixtures: at the Estadi Johan Cruyff against Granada and Deportivo, and an away trip to Real Sociedad in between.

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    MATCH STATS

    Roma: 0
    Barça: 4

    Roma: Baldi; Oladipo, Heatley, Van Diemen, Veje (Kuhl 84'); Thogersen, Greggi, Rieke (Pandini 84'), Haavi (Bergamaschi 67'); Viens (Corelli 59') y Pilgrim (Dragoni 67').

    Barça: Cata Coll; Batlle, Aleixandri (Paredes 59'), María León, Brugts; Patri (C. Serrajordi 73'), Aitana, Alexia (Sydney 81'); Vicky (raham 59'), Kika (Pina 59') y Paralluelo.

    Goaks: 0-1, Esmee Brugts (min. 2); 0-2, Kika Nazareth (min. 58); 0-3, Alexia Putellas (min. 71); 0-4, Caroline Graham Hansen (min. 90).

    Referee: Ivana Martincic. Yellow card for Corelli (Roma). 

    Força Barça