Barcelona’s women kept their European machine humming with a 3-1 win over Benfica in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, a result that not only sealed top spot in their league-phase group but also pushed striker Ewa Pajor to the brink of a historic scoring milestone.
Barcelona in Control, Benfica Outclassed
From the opening whistle at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, Barcelona looked every bit like the reigning superpower of the women’s game.
- The hosts dominated possession and territory, pinning Benfica deep for long spells.
- Benfica, who came into the night bottom of the section, were largely forced to defend and counter when possible.
Barcelona’s quality eventually told as they stretched Benfica repeatedly down the flanks and through the half-spaces, turning pressure into chances and chances into goals.
Pajor Strikes Again – And Closes In On Sam Kerr
The headline moment belonged to
Ewa Pajor, who opened the scoring and, in doing so, moved closer to
Sam Kerr’s all-time Women’s Champions League goal record.
According to UEFA and multiple match reports:
- Pajor’s goal put Barcelona “on course for a 3-1 win against Benfica.”
- She is now
within touching distance of Kerr’s benchmark for goals in the competition, underlining her status as one of Europe’s most lethal forwards.
For a club already overflowing with attacking stars, Pajor’s form adds another ruthless edge. Opponents now have to account for her penalty-box instincts on top of Barcelona’s usual passing carousel.
Putellas on Target as Barça Seal Top Spot
Barcelona’s captain and icon
Alexia Putellas once again made her mark on a big European night, getting on the scoresheet to extend the lead and calm any lingering nerves.
- Putellas scored in the second half as Barcelona pulled clear, reinforcing her role as the team’s creative and emotional leader.
- Benfica, already struggling in the group, briefly threatened but couldn’t live with the hosts’ tempo and technical quality.
The final scoreline —
Barcelona 3, Benfica 1 — reflected not just individual brilliance but a collective dominance that has become routine for this side.
Group Picture: Barça Cruise, Benfica Left Behind
The result locked in what most observers expected from the start of the league phase:
-
Barcelona sit
top of their UWCL league-phase group, unbeaten and with one of the best goal differences in the competition.
-
Benfica remain stuck near the bottom, with just
1 point from 5 games and a negative goal difference that tells the story of their campaign.
A snapshot of the standings after matchday five:
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|------------|----|---|---|---|-----|-----|
| Barcelona | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | +15 | 13 |
| Benfica | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -7 | 1 |
Barcelona are already looking ahead to the knockout rounds, where their combination of squad depth, experience and star power will again make them favorites.
Why This Night Matters Beyond the Scoreline
1. Pajor’s Record Chase Is Now a Full-Blown Storyline
With every goal,
Pajor’s name is now firmly attached to Sam Kerr’s record in conversations around Europe.
- For fans, it adds a narrative hook to every Barcelona match: how close can she get, and how fast?
- For defenders, it’s a nightmare: focus on Pajor and you free up space for Putellas, Graham Hansen, and company.
If Pajor maintains this pace, the record could fall sooner rather than later — and that would be a landmark moment for both player and club.
2. Barcelona’s “Reload, Not Rebuild” Model Is Working
This Barcelona side has evolved from the group that first rose to dominance, but the philosophy is the same:
- Control the ball.
- Overwhelm opponents with positional play.
- Let the stars finish the job.
Newer faces like Pajor are blending seamlessly with established icons like Putellas, suggesting that
Barça’s dominance is built to last, not just peak and fade.
3. The Gap to the Elite Is Still Brutal for Clubs Like Benfica
Benfica’s campaign underlines the harsh reality of the modern UWCL:
- The top clubs (Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea, etc.) operate on a different financial and sporting level.
- For sides like Benfica, just competing in the league phase is progress, but the gulf in depth and experience is stark.
This kind of defeat isn’t just about one bad night; it’s about structural inequality in investment and resources across women’s football — something UEFA and domestic leagues will have to keep grappling with.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
-
Barcelona: With first place secured, they can manage minutes in the final league-phase fixture and focus on peaking for the knockouts, where anything short of a deep run will feel like underachieving.
-
Benfica: Their focus shifts back to domestic competition and using this European run as a learning tool, aiming to return stronger and better equipped for the pace and physicality of the UWCL.
For now, though, this night belongs to Barcelona — and to Ewa Pajor, whose chase of Sam Kerr’s record just became one of the most compelling subplots in European football.
Sources
1. Barcelona vs. Benfica (Dec 10, 2025) Live Score - ESPN
2. Barcelona v SL Benfica | 10 December 2025 - Goal.com
3. Barcelona and Lyon top Women's Champions League standings ...
4. Ewa Pajor nears Champions League benchmark after latest goal in ...
5. Barcelona vs Benfica | UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26
