Barcelona continued their dominant run in the Women’s Champions League with a commanding 7-0 win over St. Pölten on Tuesday, extending their impressive streak. Claudia Pina starred with two goals in the blowout, following a 9-0 victory over Hammarby in the previous round.
With six points, Barcelona shares the top spot in Group D with Manchester City, although the English side has a game in hand against Hammarby later on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Arsenal bounced back from a rocky start to the season by beating Juventus 4-0. This marked their second consecutive 4-0 win in the competition, with the Gunners now level on points with Bayern Munich at the top of Group C. Bayern faces a winless Vålerenga later Tuesday.
Barcelona’s relentless attack took just 32 minutes to break the deadlock. Ona Batlle’s cross found Ewa Pajor, who scored from close range. Four more goals came in quick succession, demonstrating Barcelona’s dominance.
In the 38th minute, Francisca Nazareth added a second, pouncing on a loose ball, followed by Aitana Bonmatí’s rebound strike after Vicky Lopez’s powerful shot was parried by goalkeeper Carina Schlüter. Keira Walsh then extended the lead with a precise finish from outside the box, and Pina volleyed in her first goal to make it 5-0 at halftime.
After the break, Pina netted a penalty and Caroline Graham Hansen completed the rout, leaving Barcelona in fine form.
As for Arsenal, under interim coach Renée Slegers, they are recovering from their 5-2 loss to Bayern in the opening round and a difficult domestic start. A 5-0 victory over Brighton in the Women’s Super League on Friday provided a confidence boost, and they carried that momentum into Europe.
Frida Maanum gave Arsenal a first-half lead against Juventus, Italy’s top club. Two second-half substitutes, Stina Blackstenius and Mariona Caldentey, sealed the win, and Caitlin Foord added a fourth to cap off the convincing victory.
