Oshoala shines as FC Barcelona Femeni hammer Arsenal

Super Falcons captain Asisat Oshoala was at her best for FC Barcelona Femeni as they thrashed Arsenal Women 4-1 in their opening match of the 2021/22 UEFA Women’s Champions League season.

Fresh from winning the Champions League for the first time in their history last season, Oshoala and her FC Barcelona Femeni teammates were up against English giants Arsenal Women in their first group match of the season in the competition.

Oshoala, who was an Arsenal Women player from March 2016 to February 2017, had a hand in the first three goals for FC Barcelona Femeni.

Forward Mariona Caldentey opened the scoring for the women from Spain at their Johan Cruyff Stadium after 31 minutes as she converted the rebound after Oshoala’s shot was saved by the Arsenal goalkeeper.

Oshoala laid off the assist for the second as she showed off her explosive pace down the right wing before picking out Alexia Putellas in the box, and the Spaniard converted from close range just three minutes before the break.

FC Barcelona Femeni continued their onslaught just two minutes into the second half as Oshoala got in on the act and added her name to the scoresheet when she converted a brilliant pass from Caldentey. The 26-year-old Super Falcons captain did not celebrate her goal as a mark of respect for her former club.

Arsenal pulled one back through Frida Maanum in the 74th minute before Lieke Martens added a fourth for the Champions League holders in the 84th minute to seal the result.

Putellas missed a chance to score a fifth for FC Barcelona Femeni as her added time penalty was saved by the Arsenal Women goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.

Arsenal were unbeaten in all competitions since February 2021, a run of 20 matches, before losing to FC Barcelona, who are also undefeated in the La Liga this season, having scored 35 goals and conceded just one in five league matches this season. Oshoala has scored seven goals in the league this season for the club in only five matches.