Lyonnes Hits Eight as Barcelona Answers an Early Scare

OL Lyonnes did not ease into another Champions League campaign. Last season’s runners-up overwhelmed Servette 8-0 in Geneva, the largest victory since the competition introduced its league-phase format last season. Servette held Lyonnes to an early own goal for much of the opening half, but Marie-Antoinette Katoto broke through before the half-hour and the match quickly got away from the Swiss champions. Katoto completed a hat trick, Melchie Dumornay scored twice, including a gorgeous chip, and another own goal plus a late Ines Benyahia finish completed the eight-goal rout. Lily Yohannes started and supplied an assist as Lyonnes immediately put itself at the top of the table on goal difference.

Barcelona had to do considerably more work for its winning start. Evelyne Viens stunned the holders by putting Paris FC ahead in the fifth minute, but Kerolin answered before Clara Serrajordi volleyed Barcelona in front. From there the familiar machinery took over. Caroline Graham Hansen created Ewa Pajor’s first, scored the fourth herself and then helped set up Pajor again after the break. Paris FC captain Clara Mateo pulled one back on a quick counter to make the final 5-2. Pajor’s brace moved her level with Sam Kerr on 17 goals, the most since the Champions League introduced its group stage, while Barcelona recorded the 900th official victory in the history of its women’s team.