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Sports News of Thursday, 20 October 2022

Source: soccernet.ng

Oshoala wins battle of Nigerian sisters as Benfica submit to ruthless Barcelona

Asisat Oshoala Asisat Oshoala

The Blaugrana women have been dominant in recent years, and Ucheibe’s Benfica were the last team to feel their ire 

Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala scored two goals and assisted two others in Barcelona’s 9-0 drubbing of Christy Ucheibe’s Benfica.

Barcelona Femini played host to Portuguese giants Benfica in their first game of this season’s Women’s UEFA Champions League.

The Catalunya have been dominant in Europe in recent years, reaching the final of the last two competitions, and they looked to kick off the new season on a good note.

Super Falcons striker Oshoala was given the nod to lead the line for the Spanish giants, while compatriot Ucheibe started from the bench for Benfica.

Barcelona wasted no time in making the gulf in class apparent, as they took the lead in the first minute. Oshoala set up Patricia Guijarro with a brilliant pass, and the Spanish midfielder finished with aplomb from close range.

The Spanish champions doubled their lead 13 minutes later, and Oshoala was also in the mix, as she set up Aitana Bonmati, who struck home to make it 2-0.

After providing two assists Oshoala got her goal in the 34th minute, and it was worth the wait. The Super Falcons star pounced on a loose ball and fired a wicked shot from over 25 yards that sent Rute Costa scrambling in the Benfica goal.

The Portuguese side dragged the game to halftime with a three-goal deficit despite chances that fell to Barcelona.

The second half was a worse ordeal for Benfica, as Barcelona Femeni scored three goals in the first 22 minutes courtesy of Mariona Caldentey, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, and Geyse.

Ucheibe was introduced into the game for Benfica in the 70th minute. But her presence did not change anything, as the Blaugrana scored three more goals via Claudia Pina, Oshoala, and Geyse.

It was a dominant and ruthless display from the Spanish champions, as they had 23 goal attempts and restricted their visitors to just 3.

Barcelona claimed a comfortable 9-0 win that gives they a sit at the top of Group D