Women’s Champions League: Barcelona Dominates St. Poelten With A Seven-Goal Triumph

FC Barcelona and Arsenal showcased their dominance with convincing victories over St. Pölten and Juventus in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, respectively.

Barcelona’s 7-0 Rout of St. Pölten

Barcelona delivered a stunning performance against Austria’s St. Pölten, securing a resounding 7-0 victory at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. The match was marked by a breathtaking five-goal blitz within just 12 minutes, turning the game into a one-sided affair.

The scoring began in the 32nd minute when Ewa Pajor expertly redirected a cross from full-back Ona Batlle into the far corner of the net. Barcelona’s relentless pressure nearly doubled the score shortly after, with stand-in captain Marta Torrejon’s header clipping the crossbar.

However, the floodgates truly opened as the Catalan side displayed their attacking flair.

Aitana Bonmati, fresh off her recent Ballon d’Or win, was instrumental in the buildup, almost scoring with a cheeky chip that was narrowly saved. Her persistence paid off when she got behind the defense and set up Francisca Nazareth, who made it 2-0 in the 38th minute.

Just two minutes later, Bonmati found the net herself, adding a third goal to her tally. Keira Walsh then joined the party, striking from outside the box in the 42nd minute, before Claudia Pina capped off the first-half scoring with a brilliant volley at the back post.

The second half saw Pina complete her brace from the penalty spot after being fouled, and substitute Caroline Graham Hansen added a seventh goal in the dying minutes of the match. Despite this emphatic win, Barcelona sits second in Group D due to a head-to-head record disadvantage after their earlier loss to Manchester City, who are currently leading the group.

Arsenal’s 4-0 Triumph Over Juventus

Arsenal traveled to Piedmont and dismantled Juventus with a convincing 4-0 victory.

The Gunners, now second in Group C with six points, showcased their attacking qualities, with goals from Frida Maanum, Stina Blackstenius, Mariona Caldentey, and Caitlin Foord.

The opening goal came from a well-coordinated team move in the 38th minute, with Maanum finishing off the sequence with a deft touch that left the Juventus defense scrambling. Arsenal continued to apply pressure, and their efforts paid off in the final quarter of the game.

Blackstenius, Caldentey, and Foord all found the net, ensuring a comprehensive win for the Gunners.

Juventus, now sitting third in the group with one win and two losses, struggled to contain Arsenal’s dynamic attack, and the result leaves them with much to ponder as they look to rebound in their upcoming fixtures.

Looking Ahead

In the evening’s late fixtures, Manchester City had the opportunity to extend their lead in Group D against Hammarby, while Group C leaders Bayern Munich welcomed Norwegian side Valerenga.

Both Barcelona and Arsenal have set the tone with their performances, signaling their intentions to challenge for the title once again.