Led by the clinical Clàudia Pina, who scored four goals in an incredible first half, Barcelona humiliated Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, racking up a 7-0 victory in Liga F to continue their Clásico domination. Caroline Graham Hansen, Ewa Pajor and Sydney Schertenleib were also on target as Barça made it six wins from six in the league this season.
Barça are now five points clear of Madrid at the top of the table, but more importantly demonstrated that it is very much business as usual despite a summer of upheaval which saw two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas depart along with Mapi León, Ona Batlle and Salma Paralluelo. "Spectacular," Pina said after the game. "This team leaves me without words. This is what we work for."
The summer exits had raised questions about how Barça would move on without some stalwarts, but young Dutch defender Renee van Asten was the only new face starting against Madrid. The team's biggest summer arrival, Brazil international Kerolin, was only on the bench, alongside Aitana Bonmatí, who is still working her way back cautiously from a leg break last season.
Madrid also saw change this summer, investing in new signings like Elisa Senß, Andreia Jacinto, Arianna Caruso and Felicia Schröder, who joined in a club-record deal. After an unbeaten start to the season, renewed hope existed that Madrid could close the gap, but Barça's motivation was clear from the off, with Pina scoring after just four minutes and the game effectively over by half-time.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing