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UEFA's new Women's Champions League featuring a 16-team group stage for the first time was given a rousing start by defending champions Barcelona who crushed Arsenal 4-1 in an impressive display on Tuesday.
Aitana Bonmati (L) of Barcelona is tackled by Tobin Heath of Arsenal during their UEFA Women's Champions League group match at Estadi Johan Cruyff in Barcelona, Spain, October 5, 2021. /CFP
Lyon's Melvine Malard (R) celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Haecken in their UEFA Women's Champions League group match at Bravida Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden, October 5, 2021. /CFP
Group stage matchday 1 on October 5:
Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal
Hoffenheim 5-0 HB Koge
Haecken 0-3 Lyon
Benfica 0-0 Bayern
Lyon's Ada Hegerberg (R) looks on during the UEFA Women's Champions League group match between Lyon and Haecken at Bravida Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden, October 5, 2021. /CFP
Former women's Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg made her long-awaited return for seven-time champions Lyon.
Hegerberg, the inaugural women's Ballon d'Or winner in 2018, ended a 20-month injury absence, coming on for teammate Catarina Macario.
With 53 goals, Hegerberg is the all-time top-scorer in the competition but the 26-year-old Norway attacker has been out of action since January 2020 after rupturing a cruciate ligament in her right knee and then suffering a left tibia stress fracture.
Lyon's streak of five straight Champions League titles was ended in the quarterfinals last season by Paris Saint-Germain, who also pipped Lyon to the French crown.
UEFA reveals the group stage draw of the Women's Champions League 2021/22 at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, September 13, 2021. /CFP
(With input from agencies)
