AFP, Paris :
Holders Barcelona shrugged off the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati to win in the Women’s Champions League (CL) on Wednesday as Chelsea coasted to victory.
Reigning three-time winners Barcelona maintained control of the league phase standings with a 3-1 home win over Benfica.
With Bonmati sidelined with a leg fracture, Ewa Pajor put Barca into an early lead only for Chandra Davidson to level for the Portuguese visitors seconds after the break.
Christy Ucheibe’s own goal followed quickly by Laia Aleixandri’s deflected shot kept Barca unbeaten ahead of next week’s closing league phase matches.
The score could have been far more lop-sided but for a sterling performance by Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels, including denying Alexia Putellas from the penalty spot.
