Barcelona started the defence of their Champions League crown with a comfortable home victory against Benfica.
Captain Alexia Putellas got the hosts on their way, heading in from close range after Caroline Graham Hansen’s shot deflected into her path, before doubling Barca’s advantage when turning Esmee Brugts’ header over the line from close range.
Aitana Bonmati grabbed her first of the night shortly before half-time, showing great composure to turn sharply away from a challenge before drilling in emphatically.
Bonmati’s second came when was afforded far too much space early in the second half and the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner punished Benfica with a firm finish into the far corner.
“It’s good to start the season in the Champions League, scoring five goals in front of our own fans. We want to keep going for more,” said Bonmati.
The pick of the bunch came from Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala, who scored with her first touch just seconds after coming off the bench, rising acrobatically to meet a cross with a bicycle kick.
Benfica had opportunities early in the game, though managed only one shot on target in the second half.
Canada midfielder Marie-Yasmine Alidou had the best chance for the visitors, making a great break into the box but firing straight into the hands of goalkeeper Catalina Coll.
With the final of this season’s Champions League set to take place in Bilbao at San Mames, Barcelona will be pleased to have made a positive start.
Barcelona and England midfielder Keira Walsh said: “It’s the motivation of the club to be in the Champions League final every year. You can see that motivation in the girls and I see it in training every day. This club deserves nothing less.”
The victory was the 100th for manager Jonatan Giraldez since he took charge in 2021, who will be hoping to make it 101 on Sunday when Real Madrid visit Estadio Olimpico for El Clasico.
Elsewhere in Group A, Eintracht Frankfurt, who host Barcelona next time out in the competition on 22 November, beat Rosengard 2-1 in Sweden.
Line-ups
Barcelona Femenino
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Coll Lluch
- 8Torrejón
- 23Engen
- 4León Cebrián
- 22Batlle
- 14Bonmatí
- 21WalshSubstituted forPinaat 71′minutes
- 9Caldentey OliverSubstituted forOshoalaat 60′minutes
- 10Graham HansenSubstituted forLópez Serrano Félixat 78′minutes
- 11PutellasSubstituted forGuijarro Gutiérrezat 45′minutes
- 24BrugtsSubstituted forParallueloat 60′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Paños
- 6Pina
- 7Paralluelo
- 12Guijarro Gutiérrez
- 15Bronze
- 20Oshoala
- 25Font
- 26Dragoni
- 30López Serrano Félix
- 34Fernández
- 40Corrales
Benfica Women
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Pauels
- 13de Sousa AlvesBooked at 65minsSubstituted forCunha Almeidaat 87′minutes
- 80dos Santos Araújo
- 3da Silva Seiça
- 19Silva AmadoBooked at 35mins
- 28FalcónSubstituted forSilva Sobrinhoat 57′minutes
- 2AlidouSubstituted forNortonat 65′minutes
- 23Gasper
- 6Martins Faria
- 11Manjenje Nogueira SilvaSubstituted forda Silva Cintraat 66′minutes
- 10Ramos Ribeiro Nazareth SousaSubstituted forNogueira Martinsat 87′minutes
Substitutes
- 4Garcia Rebelo
- 5Almendariz
- 8da Silva Cintra
- 9Silva Sobrinho
- 14Cunha Almeida
- 15da Silva Costa
- 17Norton
- 20Nogueira Martins
- 39Vilão Dias
- 66Campos Costa
- 99de Sá Pessoa Brás Nogueira
Live Text
-
Match ends, Barcelona Femenino 5, Benfica Women 0.
-
Second Half ends, Barcelona Femenino 5, Benfica Women 0.
-
Attempt blocked. Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona Femenino) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Salma Paralluelo.
-
Attempt blocked. Nycole Raysla (Benfica Women) header from the left side of the box is blocked.
-
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
-
Delay in match because of an injury Lena Pauels (Benfica Women).
-
Offside, Benfica Women. Letícia Almeida tries a through ball, but Lara Martins is caught offside.
-
Substitution, Benfica Women. Lara Martins replaces Kika Nazareth.
-
Substitution, Benfica Women. Letícia Almeida replaces Lúcia Alves.
-
Mapi León (Barcelona Femenino) wins a free kick on the left wing.
-
Foul by Nycole Raysla (Benfica Women).
-
Attempt saved. Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femenino) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ona Batlle.
-
Attempt missed. Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona Femenino) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Clàudia Pina.
-
Patri Guijarro (Barcelona Femenino) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Kika Nazareth (Benfica Women).
-
Attempt blocked. Clàudia Pina (Barcelona Femenino) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Aitana Bonmatí.
-
Substitution, Barcelona Femenino. Vicky López replaces Caroline Graham Hansen.
-
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona Femenino) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Andreia Norton (Benfica Women).
-
Corner, Benfica Women. Conceded by Marta Torrejón.