Barcelona rout HB Koge 8-0 in Denmark to stay unbeaten in Women's Champions League

Barcelona thrashed HB Koge 8-0 on the Danish club's ground on Thursday, 29 October, extending their unbeaten start to the Women's Champions League league phase. The visitors controlled the match for most of its length, and the win came after three matchdays with three wins from three.

Penalty and early lead

Barcelona controlled the opening period from the first minutes and dominated possession, holding close to 80% in the first half. Claudia Pina was fouled inside the area by Koge's Mwanalima Jereko, and after a long VAR review the referee pointed to the spot. Caroline Graham Hansen converted the penalty before the 15th minute, a match that marked her 100th in the Champions League. Barcelona took about ten shots in the half while the hosts rarely reached the Barcelona area. Ewa Pajor doubled the lead before the interval, finishing a pass from Pina past Koge goalkeeper Vingum to make it 2-0 at half-time.

Second-half rout

Barcelona resumed with the same intensity, and Esmee Brugts headed in soon after the restart. Patri Guijarro then scored with a heel flick after a rebound from a corner, and Clara Serrajordi added a strike from distance before Koge's changes could steady the side. Koge conceded five almost consecutive goals early in the second half. Kika Nazareth found the net and Pina added another to reach 7-0. Pina completed her double with the eighth goal in the 85th minute. Seven different players scored in the match.

First half2

Second half6

First half

2

Second half

6

Data from the article text

Standings and context

After three rounds, Barcelona are the only side with three wins and lead the league phase on their own. HB Koge are 11th with three points, and their first win in the competition came earlier this month. Pajor has four goals and three assists in this edition, behind Marie-Antoinette Katoto of OL Lyonnes on five goals. The result followed the Ballon d'Or gala held in London on Monday, where Barcelona received the team of the year award, Pere Romeu was named best coach, Cata Coll best goalkeeper and Vicky López best young player. Pajor finished second in the Ballon d'Or top 10 behind Alexia Putellas, who now plays for London City Lionesses, while Barcelona are aiming for a fifth Champions title. Before kick-off a minute's silence was observed for the victims of a railway accident in Toledo province, Spain.