…Christy Ucheibe started as center-back
Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe was unfortunate to score an own goal as Benfica Women fell 3–1 to Barcelona Femení in their UEFA Women’s Champions League group-stage clash at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on Wednesday night.
Benfica went into the match seeking their first win of the campaign, while Barcelona aimed to cement their position at the top of the group on Matchday 5.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 29th minute through Ewa Pajor, but Chandra Davidson restored parity for Benfica just two minutes into the second half.
Barcelona regained the lead in the 54th minute – and it was Ucheibe who inadvertently turned the ball into her own net. Alexia Putellas’ quick pass to Pajor inside the box forced the onrushing Ucheibe into a challenge that resulted in the misfortune.
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The Catalans extended their advantage to 3–1 five minutes later, with Laia Aleixandri finding the target. Putellas had a chance to make it 4–1 in the 74th minute, but her left-footed penalty aimed at the bottom-left corner was brilliantly saved by Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels.
The victory keeps Barcelona firmly atop the group with 13 points from five matches, boasting four wins and a draw. Benfica, meanwhile, drop to 15th in the overall standings and fall out of the playoff qualification spots.
Ucheibe who was in the game for the entire duration of the game did not play in her traditional midfield role but was deployed as a center-back.
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