UWCL Round-up: Barcelona comeback to win; Lyon and Brann win again

On Wednesday, Brann, Lyon, and Barcelona all won their second group games, while Benfica got their first win.

Here's what went down

Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Barcelona

Scorers: Freigang 42′; Paralluelo 48′, 63′, Caldentey 59′

Salma Paralluelo's double and Mariona Caldentey's goal helped the holders overcome a half-time deficit and avoid a third consecutive loss in Germany.

Laura Freigang's close-range header just before halftime put the four-time champions ahead, giving them hope of matching the feats of Bayern Munich in the group stage last year and Wolfsburg in the second leg of the 2021/22 semis.

But Barcelona, who came back from two goals down to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 in last season's final, took just three minutes after the break to level through Paralluelo's deft finish.

Mariona Caldentey scored her 100th goal for Barcelona just before the hour mark, and shortly after, Paralluelo swept in her second to put the reigning champions three points clear.

Benfica 1-0 Rosengård

Scorers: Nazareth 52′

Benfica earned their first UWCL points of the season after defeating Rosengård.

Kika Nazareth scored in the 52nd minute, after Rosengård goalkeeper Angel Musaka had tipped Marie Alidou's strike behind.

Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels made two late saves in a row, denying Mai Kadowaki and Bea Sprung from close range.

Rosengård, yet to get off the mark, now face a double header with Barcelona, while Benfica face two potentially decisive games against Frankfurt in their quest to become Portugal's first quarter-finalists.

Lyon 2-0 St Pölten

Scorers: Van de Donk 4′, Balog (OG) 47′

Lyon cruised to their second group win, despite the fact that their dominance did not result in nine goals like it did last week at Slavia.

Danielle van de Donk headed in Selma Bacha's fourth-minute cross, and the eight-time champions pressed all the way.

Ada Hegerberg's shot was deflected into her own net by luckess Leonarda Balog early in the second half.

Six minutes later, visiting goalkeeper Carina Schlüter made a spectacular save to tip Hegerberg's header against the crossbar, but St. Pölten remain without a point.

Brann 1-0 Slavia Praha

Scorers: Crummer 21′

Brann's perfect start to the group stage continued with a narrow victory over Slavia Prague.

Haleigh Stackpole and Martina Urnovská tested Brann goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen, but the hosts remained in command throughout.

After 21 minutes, Larissa Crummer glanced in Amalie Eikeland's close-range ball to extend their lead. Brann then controlled possession in the rain to earn a second victory despite not putting much pressure on Olivie Lukáová.

Brann now leads Slavia and St. Pölten by six points heading into their December doubleheader with Lyon.

SportsLigue