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European champions Barcelona produced a dominant show by beating Arsenal 4-1 of their Ladies’s Champions League opener on Tuesday night time.
Barcelona have been completely in management within the first half, taking the lead via Mariona Caldentey’s rebounded end (32), earlier than Alexia Putellas turned residence Asisat Oshoala’s cut-back (43).
Towards her outdated membership, Oshoala slipped Barca 3-0 forward early within the second half (47) earlier than Arsenal discovered some rhythm and grabbed a purpose again via Frida Leonhardsen Maanum, bundling residence on the again submit (74).
Sub Lieke Martens made it 4-1 with a deft end late on (84), whereas Putellas noticed a stoppage-time penalty saved by Manuela Zinsberger after Jordan Nobbs’ foul on her within the space.
Barca had a complete of 35 photographs on Arsenal’s purpose within the recreation, with Arsenal’s Zinsberger making 10 saves on a humbling night time for the Gunners, albeit with a much-improved second-half show.
How Barca blew Gunners away
Alexia Putellas celebrates with Asisat Oshoala after scoring Barcelona’s second purpose in opposition to Arsenal
Barca proved why they have been European champions and favourites to retain their crown this 12 months in a dominant first-half show, registering 19 photographs on purpose to Arsenal’s none.
They have been camped in Arsenal’s defensive third for nearly your complete half, going shut via Caldentey and Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, who each compelled good saves from Zinsberger.
However the hosts needed to wait till simply after the half-hour mark to take the lead via Caldentey, who pounced after Zinsberger had stopped Oshoala’s effort from the sting of the field, composing herself earlier than slotting residence.
And it was 2-0 earlier than the break as Oshoala obtained to the byline with ease, earlier than chopping again for Putellas to show into the online.
Barca picked up the place they left off within the second half as Caldentey performed Oshoala via on purpose, earlier than the Nigerian slotted underneath Zinsberger for 3-0.
Arsenal improved after bringing on Tobin Heath, Nikita Parris and Caitlin Foord after the third purpose, and obtained one themselves with a uncommon assault as Maanum transformed on the far submit from Heath’s free-kick supply, simply moments after Parris had seen an effort cleared off the road.
Nevertheless it proved to be a fleeting second as Barcelona obtained their fourth, Martens brilliantly dinking over Zinsberger from Patricia Guijarro’s via ball.
It ought to have been 5 in stoppage time as Nobbs tripped captain Putellas within the field, however her personal spot-kick was saved nicely by Zinsberger to her left to maintain a decent limitation on the harm.
Evaluation: Spirited from Arsenal
Laura Bassett on Sky Sports activities Information:
“Lots of positives might be taken from the second half. What actually knocked Arsenal out their stride was conceding simply earlier than half-time and straight after within the second half. That actually prompted them to stumble.
“However absolutely on the overview and evaluation they are going to see passages of play which is able to make them suppose they will get at this Barcelona crew within the return fixture.
“They definitely placed on a spirited efficiency They’re going to know they will get at them.”
What’s subsequent?
Arsenal now host Everton Ladies at 3pm on Sunday within the WSL, stay on Sky Sports activities Premier League, earlier than their second Champions League conflict at residence to Hoffenheim on October 14 at 8pm in Borehamwood.
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