October 20, (THEWILL) – Asisat Oshoala netted one of two doubles in Barcelona Femini’s 9-0 victory over Benfica at the Estadi Johan Cruyff to kick off the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League campaign in the best start possible.
With their goals, Patricia Guijarro, Aitana Bonmati, Mariona Caldentey, Ana Maria Crnogorcevic, Claudia Pina, Oshoala, and Geyse broke the previous tournament record of six goals in a single game. Before the game, Alexia Putellas presented her second Ballon d’Or to the crowd.
Barça entered the Estadi Johan Cruyff field in search of a European victory, and it did not take long for Oshoala to roll her marker and set up Patricia Guijarro from the byeline for first goal. After 14 minutes, Aitana made it 2-0 with a nod from Oshoala, marking Barça Women’s 150th goal in the Women’s Champions League.
With Oshoala’s deflected long-range goal in the 34th minute, they were in complete control and had a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break. No respite followed after the break. Five minutes into the second half and Caldentey scored the fourth before Crnogorcevic headed in to make it 5-0 after 65 minutes.
Substitute Geyse, Pina, Oshoala added to the scoreline as the one-sided torture of Benfica was finally over with after 90 minutes. It truly was a remarkable occasion as the goals and Putellas’ award testified.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
