AFP, Paris :
Captain Alexia Putellas netted twice as Women’s Champions League holders Barcelona kept up their perfect record in this season’s competition by easing to a 4-0 win over German visitors Hoffenheim on Wednesday.
The result ensured that the Catalans stay clear of Arsenal at the top of Group C, while seven-time Champions League winners Lyon are five points clear in Group D after coming from behind to beat closest rivals Bayern Munich 2-1.
Jennifer Hermoso headed Barcelona into a fifth-minute lead against Hoffenheim and Putellas smashed in a left-foot free-kick from 20 metres to make it 2-0 before the midway point in the first half.
Putellas, the UEFA women’s player of the year who is a leading contender to win the Ballon d’Or later this month, made it 3-0 just after the half-hour mark, her shot dribbling through the legs of goalkeeper Martina Tufekovic.
Marta Torrejon headed in a Putellas cross to complete the rout in the 74th minute, shortly after the floodlights briefly went out at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.
Barcelona, whose coach Jonatan Giraldez is not yet 30, maintain their 100 percent record in Group C and have 12 wins out of 12 in all competitions this season, with 64 goals scored and just three conceded. Arsenal sit second in their section on six points after cruising to a 5-1 victory away to Danish champions Koge.
