Barcelona 5–2 Paris FC: Pajor Brace Launches Champions League Defence Ewa Pajor scored twice as Barcelona began their Women’s Champions League title defence with a 5–2 victory over Paris FC at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The visitors struck first through Evelyne Viens after five minutes, but Barcelona responded with four goals before halftime. Kerolin, Clara Serrajordi, Pajor and Caroline Graham Hansen turned the match around before Pajor added her second after the break. Paris FC captain Clara Mateo scored the final goal of the evening, but the defending champions had already established a decisive advantage. Paris FC deliver an early warning Barcelona entered the match as favourites, yet Paris FC needed only five minutes to expose a gap in the home defence. Viens finished a well-constructed attack to put the French side ahead while Clàudia Pina was temporarily off the field after receiving treatment. The early goal tested Barcelona’s composure. Rather than forcing the game, Pere Romeu’s side increased the tempo and began creating chances through the movement of Esmee Brugts and Pina. Barcelona take control before halftime Kerolin equalised in the 18th minute, converting Pina’s pass with a low finish to score her first Barcelona goal. Serrajordi completed the turnaround ten minutes later from a rehearsed corner routine, meeting Graham Hansen’s delivery first time. Barcelona then created separation before the interval. Graham Hansen crossed for Pajor to score from close range in the 35th minute, before the Norwegian winger added the fourth with a long-range strike in the 43rd minute. Four different scorers during a 25-minute spell demonstrated the variety in Barcelona’s attack. They threatened through combinations in wide areas, set pieces and direct runs behind the defence. That tactical assessment is independent FootyTactix analysis. The score and match events are confirmed facts. Pajor completes her brace Barcelona controlled possession more patiently after halftime, reducing the frantic pace of the opening period. Pajor still found another opportunity in the 70th minute. The Poland striker reached a through ball and forced it beyond the goalkeeper to complete her brace and make the score 5–1. Mateo replied three minutes later after Barcelona failed to clear a sequence of deflections inside the penalty area. Paris FC’s second goal rewarded their willingness to keep attacking, but it arrived too late to threaten the result. An encouraging beginning for the champions The victory gave Barcelona a strong start to their European campaign and showed their ability to recover from an early setback. Their attacking response was particularly impressive: four goals before halftime, contributions from several positions and two finishes from Pajor inside the penalty area. There were also defensive details for Romeu to address. Paris FC scored twice and created problems when Barcelona’s shape became stretched, reminders that even a convincing result can contain useful warnings. The confirmed conclusion is that Barcelona opened their title defence with a 5–2 win. Any broader judgment about their chances of retaining the trophy remains analysis that must be tested across the competition. FootyTactix note: The date, venue, score, scorers and match events were verified against FC Barcelona’s official match report published on September 23, 2026. Tactical observations are independent analysis and do not guarantee future results. *Source:* FC Barcelona official match report: https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/womens-football/news/4580756/barca-5-2-paris-fc-stupendous-start
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