The UEFA Women’s Champions League was back underway Thursday evening with a quartet of games from Groups C and D.
Here is what went down.
Scorers: Pajor 7′, 40′, Bonmatí 80′
Barcelona cruised to a road win against Hammarby, drawing to within xx points of Group D leaders Manchester City.
It was the Ewa Pajor show as the Polish forward bagged two first-half goals to give the visitors breathing room heading into the break.
The visitors pushed to extend their lead, and while it took until the final 10 minutes, Aitana Bonmatí put the third into the back of the net for the icing on top of the cake for Barcelona.
The reigning champions remain three points behind Manchester City in Group D.
Scorers: Murphy 55′, Casparij 66′
It was a dominant first-half showing from the Sky Blues, but they struggled to carve out meaningful scoring chances despite the nearly 80% possession in the opening 45 minutes.
The hosts finally found their shooting boots after the break thanks to a goal from Lily Murphy to give City the lead, opening her account for the club in the process.
The Super League outfit were home and hosed past the hour mark when Kerstin Casparij popped up from defence to double the lead, seeing City collect all three points in style.
The victory sees the English club hold off Barcelona with a three point gap over the reigning champions heading into the matchday six.
Scorers: Damnjanović 22′, Harder 52′, Bühl 73, Şehitler 81′
Bayern took one step closer to wrapping up Group C with a dominant victory over already-eliminated Juventus.
It was smooth sailing from the off for the German outfit, and they took a lead into the dressing room at half-time thanks to a close-range effort from Jovana Damnjanović.
While Juve may have thanked their lucky stars that they went into the break down just one, goals from Pernille Harder, Klara Bühl, and substitute Alara Şehitler in the second-half wrapped up the three points for the hosts with ease.
Scorers: Lindwall 81′ ; Russo 25′, 58′, Maanum 37′
Arsenal remained within touching distance of Bayern with a comfortable victory of their own, riding an Alessia Russo brace to win against Vålerenga.
It was a cake-walk for the Gunners from the first whistle, as two-goal advantage at the break thanks to goals from Russo and Frida Maanum perhaps flattered the hosts.
But the Arsenal dominance was emphasised in the second interval when Russo bagged her second of the night as the visitors headed towards a comfortable victory to stay within one point of Group C leaders Bayern.
A late Tilde Lindwall strike gave the home fans something to cheer about, but the late goal was merely consolation on the night for the hosts.
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